EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND EXERCISE COUNSELLING IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition in which narrowing of the spinal canal can cause pain, neurogenic claudication, reduced walking ability, and limitations in daily activities. This study evaluated whether a 12-week structured, individually adapted exercise and exercise-counselling program could improve symptoms and physical function in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group took part in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. The program included individually adapted exercises, treadmill walking, a progressive walking program with daily recording of walking distance or step count, and exercises to be performed independently at home. The control group continued with their usual lifestyle during the same period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 12 weeks. The main outcomes were disability related to lumbar spinal stenosis, assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index, and walking capacity, assessed with the 6-minute walk test. Additional outcomes included pain, trunk muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, lumbar spinal stenosis-related symptoms and physical function, and health-related quality of life.