The effect of in-bed turning and mobilization training given to patients who undergo lumbar disk surgery on postoperative first mobility level: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mobilization and in-bed turning training given through the role-playing technique to patients to undergo lumbar disk surgery on the patient's pain, strain and dependence level during the first postoperative mobilization (turning, sitting, standing and walking). Methods: Patients who would undergo a lumbar disk hernia surgery were recruited from a neurosurgery clinic in Turkey. Patients who met inclusion criteria and agreed to participate (n = 40) in the study were randomly assigned to an intervention group (in-bed turning and mobilization training simulated with the role-playing technique, n = 19) and a control group (usual clinical care, n = 21). The outcome of the study was patient mobility and observer mobility scale scores. Results: Postoperative scores obtained from the patient mobility and observer mobility scale were lower in the intervention group than the scores of the control group, and the difference between the groups was found statistically significant (p < 0.05). The anxiety levels of the intervention group before (38.00 & PLUSMN; 6.59, p < 0.001) and after mobilization (31.63 & PLUSMN; 4.57, p = 0.032) were significantly lower. Conclusion: The findings indicate training improves patient care outcomes for first postoperative mobility. It is recommended that structured training for in-bed turning and mobilization should be integrated into routine clinical care in the preoperative period for patients to undergo lumbar disk hernia surgery. Practice implications: Preoperative training increases the patient's willingness to be mobilized and decreases the anxiety level and perceived pain and strain.