Functional activities and psychosocial factors in the rehabilitation of patients with low back pain.

A four-week rehabilitation programme for back patients, focusing on functional activities and psychosocial factors in the demands of work and daily living, was evaluated. The programme is a combination of training of functional activities and increased psychological knowledge, body awareness and coping. A total of 40 patients with lumbago or lumbago ischias participated in the program and were compared with a matched control group. The results showed that the patients had significantly more ergonomic and psychosocial problems in their working environment than did the controls. A significant reduction in ratings of low back pain was noted in patients compared with controls after rehabilitation. Increased functional ability and physical fitness were shown in the patient group after rehabilitation. Significantly more patients than controls returned to work after the rehabilitation.