Changes Over Time in Life-space after Surgery and Preoperative Factors Affecting Postoperative Life-space for Spinal Degenerative Disease in the Elderly

Abstract

Objective: To investigate changes in living space after surgery for spinal degenerative disease and preoperative factors that influence postoperative living spaces among older individuals.
Methods: Fifty patients (mean age 76.8 years) who underwent surgery for spinal degenerative disease were included. Life Space Assessment (LSA), a measure of living space, was performed preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was conducted using a mixed-effects model to analyze the changes in LSA over time. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the preoperative factors affecting postoperative LSA. The dependent variable was LSA at 6 months postoperatively, and the independent variables were preoperative factors.
Results: The mixed-effects model showed that LSA improved significantly at 3 and 6 months postoperatively compared with preoperatively. Single and multiple regression analyses showed that body mass index (BMI) and the Modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) met significance levels.
Conclusion: The living spaces of older patients with degenerative spinal disease improved postoperatively. Preoperative BMI and mGES were found to influence postoperative living spaces.