From Brain Surgery to Back Pain: Exploring the Role of Probiotics in Quality of Life and Pain Relief

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Their use has become increasingly common as they help maintain a balanced gut microbiota and support immune function. In recent years, attention has also turned to the communication pathways between the gut and the brain, which suggest that probiotics might influence not only digestion and immunity but also inflammation, pain, and recovery after neurological injury.

The aim of this review was to explore how probiotic supplementation affects quality of life in patients after brain surgery and whether it plays a role in reducing lower back pain. We searched for scientific studies in the international databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), CINAHL Ultimate, and Wiley Online Library. The search and selection process was shown using a PRISMA flow diagram, and the quality of the studies was assessed according to an eight-level hierarchy of evidence. A thematic synthesis was then carried out.

Altogether, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria—five dealing with lower back pain and six focusing on patients after brain surgery. The results show that probiotics may have some positive effects, such as reducing inflammation and infection risk, shortening hospital stay, and helping bowel function recover faster. However, the evidence for improving overall quality of life or reducing back pain is still limited and inconsistent.

In conclusion, probiotics show potential as supportive agents in improving recovery and general health, but more well-designed clinical studies with larger samples, defined strains, and standardized evaluation methods are needed to better understand their role in pain management and postoperative recovery.