Cost-effectiveness evaluation of an RCT in rehabilitation after lumbar spinal fusion: A low-cost, behavioural approach is cost-effective over individual exercise therapy

90 patients who had undergone posterolateral or circumferential fusion for chronic low back pain were included in this randomized clinical trial to assess the cost effectiveness of two rehabilitation programs in comparison to usual care. Patients were randomized to receive either usual care consisting of physiotherapist instructions with an exercise program video, usual care combined with behavioral group meetings, or physiotherapy lead training twice weekly. Results of the study indicated that the addition of a behavioral component to usual care is a cost-effective and efficacious intervention, whereas the addition of more frequent training sessions and guidance has no effect.