INTRODUCTION: There is a body of literature that indicates that physical exercise interventions, with a primary focus on improvement of functioning instead of pain relief, might be effective to stimulate return to work and improve function in workers who are absent from work due to low back pain (LBP). Successful application and implementation of these interventions however, depends on multiple factors that need to be addressed carefully in clinical practice as well as research. METHODS: Descriptive literature review, to identify an overview of current knowledge with respect to the safety, content- and context-related aspects of physical exercise interventions, issues relating to timing, the influence of treatment confidence and patient expectations, and the process of changing provider and employer behavior. RESULTS: Physical exercises are not associated with an increased risk for recurrences. The effects of interventions may vary depending on content-related factors (i.e., type of exercises, dosage, frequency, skills of the healthcare providers, etc.) and contextual factors (i.e., treatment setting, compensation system, etc.). Treatment confidence and patients' expectations also significantly influence outcomes of physical exercise interventions. Timing is also important; interventions targeting return to work, applied during the acute phase of work absenteeism, compete with a high rate of spontaneous recovery and may therefore be inefficient. CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous studies, more quantitative and qualitative investigations are needed to further clarify the requirements for a successful application and implementation of physical exercise interventions for disabled workers with low back pain.
INTRODUCTION: There is a body of literature that indicates that physical exercise interventions, with a primary focus on improvement of functioning instead of pain relief, might be effective to stimulate return to work and improve function in workers who are absent from work due to low back pain (LBP). Successful application and implementation of these interventions however, depends on multiple factors that need to be addressed carefully in clinical practice as well as research. METHODS: Descriptive literature review, to identify an overview of current knowledge with respect to the safety, content- and context-related aspects of physical exercise interventions, issues relating to timing, the influence of treatment confidence and patient expectations, and the process of changing provider and employer behavior. RESULTS: Physical exercises are not associated with an increased risk for recurrences. The effects of interventions may vary depending on content-related factors (i.e., type of exercises, dosage, frequency, skills of the healthcare providers, etc.) and contextual factors (i.e., treatment setting, compensation system, etc.). Treatment confidence and patients' expectations also significantly influence outcomes of physical exercise interventions. Timing is also important; interventions targeting return to work, applied during the acute phase of work absenteeism, compete with a high rate of spontaneous recovery and may therefore be inefficient. CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous studies, more quantitative and qualitative investigations are needed to further clarify the requirements for a successful application and implementation of physical exercise interventions for disabled workers with low back pain.
Authors: A Malmivaara; U Häkkinen; T Aro; M L Heinrichs; L Koskenniemi; E Kuosma; S Lappi; R Paloheimo; C Servo; V Vaaranen Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1995-02-09 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Ayşegül Cakmak; Başak Yücel; Süleyman N Ozyalçn; Bülent Bayraktar; Halil Ibrahim Ural; M Tuncay Duruöz; Aysun Genç Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2004-07-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Anthony Delitto; Steven Z George; Linda Van Dillen; Julie M Whitman; Gwendolyn Sowa; Paul Shekelle; Thomas R Denninger; Joseph J Godges Journal: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther Date: 2012-03-30 Impact factor: 4.751