Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations
were used to characterize continuous variables, such as age, pain
ratings, activity limitation items, and value of the educational
information received. Frequency distributions and percentages
were used to characterize categorical variables, including demographics,
pain presence and location, surgical characteristics,
and medical history. T tests were used to examine differences in
pain severity, edema, and activity limitations for different groups
(free or pedicled and immediate or delayed) and back pain prior
to surgery. All measures were analyzed using the SPSS Statistical
Package®, version 14.0 (SPSS Inc.).