Objective:To explore the current status of lumbar paraspinal muscle functional exercise in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery, and to analyze the facilitators and barriers affecting these exercises in order to provide a theoretical basis for developing targeted interventions.Methods:This qualitative study was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and November 2024 with 13 postoperative patients, 13 medical staff from the spine surgery ward, and four family caregivers at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University. Data were orgznized, analyzed and coded using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results:A total of three major themes and 14 subthemes were identified. The first major theme highlighted various facilitating factors, including perceived benefits of rehabilitation, a trusting physician-patient relationship, strong motivation for recovery, and patient preference in exercise choices. The second major theme revealed several barriers, including residual postoperative symptoms, psychological burden, lack of awareness, limited access to information, uncomfortable experiences during exercise, and negative family support. The third major theme described the current issues of clinical implementation, including unclear role definitions among healthcare staff, inefficient exercise models, lack of standardized protocols and guidelines, and the need to establish a support and follow-up system.Conclusions:The implementation of lumbar paraspinal muscle functional exercises post-lumbar fusion surgery is influenced by multiple facilitating and hindering factors. Healthcare professionals should leverage facilitators and overcome barriers by adopting targeted strategies to optimize postoperative rehabilitation care practices.

Objective:To explore the current status of lumbar paraspinal muscle functional exercise in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery, and to analyze the facilitators and barriers affecting these exercises in order to provide a theoretical basis for developing targeted interventions.Methods:This qualitative study was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and November 2024 with 13 postoperative patients, 13 medical staff from the spine surgery ward, and four family caregivers at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University. Data were orgznized, analyzed and coded using Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results:A total of three major themes and 14 subthemes were identified. The first major theme highlighted various facilitating factors, including perceived benefits of rehabilitation, a trusting physician-patient relationship, strong motivation for recovery, and patient preference in exercise choices. The second major theme revealed several barriers, including residual postoperative symptoms, psychological burden, lack of awareness, limited access to information, uncomfortable experiences during exercise, and negative family support. The third major theme described the current issues of clinical implementation, including unclear role definitions among healthcare staff, inefficient exercise models, lack of standardized protocols and guidelines, and the need to establish a support and follow-up system.Conclusions:The implementation of lumbar paraspinal muscle functional exercises post-lumbar fusion surgery is influenced by multiple facilitating and hindering factors. Healthcare professionals should leverage facilitators and overcome barriers by adopting targeted strategies to optimize postoperative rehabilitation care practices.