OBJECTIVE: To evaluate return-to-work status 1 year after a physical deconditioning program in manual laborers with chronic low back pain. METHODS: In this open prospective study, a questionnaire was sent to 125 patients and their physicians (115 men and 10 women, mean age 40 years). Mean sick leave duration at program initiation was 4 months. All participants had followed a physical reconditioning program 12 months earlier. The program for the present study included 6 h of physical and occupational therapy each day, 5 d a week for 3 weeks. RESULTS: One hundred and nine questionnaires were evaluable. Fifty-seven patients (52.3%) were working, 39 (35.8%) full time and 18 (16.5%) part time. The remaining 52 patients were on disability leave. Among the study variables, only a favorable subjective evaluation by the patient at completion of the program and absence of clinical evidence of nonorganic pain at study inclusion significantly predicted return-to-work within 1 year. CONCLUSION: This intensive reconditioning program for low back pain patients had positive effects on return-to-work status after 1 year.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate return-to-work status 1 year after a physical deconditioning program in manual laborers with chronic low back pain. METHODS: In this open prospective study, a questionnaire was sent to 125 patients and their physicians (115 men and 10 women, mean age 40 years). Mean sick leave duration at program initiation was 4 months. All participants had followed a physical reconditioning program 12 months earlier. The program for the present study included 6 h of physical and occupational therapy each day, 5 d a week for 3 weeks. RESULTS: One hundred and nine questionnaires were evaluable. Fifty-seven patients (52.3%) were working, 39 (35.8%) full time and 18 (16.5%) part time. The remaining 52 patients were on disability leave. Among the study variables, only a favorable subjective evaluation by the patient at completion of the program and absence of clinical evidence of nonorganic pain at study inclusion significantly predicted return-to-work within 1 year. CONCLUSION: This intensive reconditioning program for low back painpatients had positive effects on return-to-work status after 1 year.
Authors: Radoslaw Wasiak; Amanda E Young; Richard T Roessler; Kathryn M McPherson; Mireille N M van Poppel; Johannes R Anema Journal: J Occup Rehabil Date: 2007-10-11
Authors: Adam P Vogel; Samantha J Barker; Amanda E Young; Rasa Ruseckaite; Alex Collie Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2011-05-15 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Robert A Macpherson; Ailin He; Benjamin C Amick Iii; Mieke Koehoorn; Christopher B McLeod Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2021-12-13 Impact factor: 5.492