OBJECTIVES: The number of people in Western countries on long-term sick-leave and disability pension due to musculoskeletal complaints and psychological health problems is increasing. The main objective of this study was to examine whether fear-avoidance beliefs, illness perceptions, subjective health complaints, and coping are prognostic factors for return to work after multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation, and to assess the relative importance and inter-relationship of these factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up period was performed. A total of 135 individuals on long-term sick-leave (87 women, mean age 45 years) participated in a 4-week inpatient multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programme. The participants had been out of work for an average of 10.5 months. RESULTS: Fear-avoidance beliefs about work was the most important risk factor for not returning to work, both at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 3.8; confidence interval (CI) 1.30-11.32) and 1 year (OR 9.5; CI 2.40-37.53) after the intervention. Forty-eight percent of the variance in fear-avoidance beliefs was explained by subjective health complaints, illness perceptions and education. Coping explained only 1% of the variance. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that interventions for these patients should target fear of returning to work and illness perceptions about subjective health complaints.
OBJECTIVES: The number of people in Western countries on long-term sick-leave and disability pension due to musculoskeletal complaints and psychological health problems is increasing. The main objective of this study was to examine whether fear-avoidance beliefs, illness perceptions, subjective health complaints, and coping are prognostic factors for return to work after multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation, and to assess the relative importance and inter-relationship of these factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up period was performed. A total of 135 individuals on long-term sick-leave (87 women, mean age 45 years) participated in a 4-week inpatient multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programme. The participants had been out of work for an average of 10.5 months. RESULTS: Fear-avoidance beliefs about work was the most important risk factor for not returning to work, both at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 3.8; confidence interval (CI) 1.30-11.32) and 1 year (OR 9.5; CI 2.40-37.53) after the intervention. Forty-eight percent of the variance in fear-avoidance beliefs was explained by subjective health complaints, illness perceptions and education. Coping explained only 1% of the variance. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that interventions for these patients should target fear of returning to work and illness perceptions about subjective health complaints.
Authors: Constanze Leineweber; Hugo Westerlund; Jan Hagberg; Pia Svedberg; Kristina Alexanderson Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2012-01-24 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: L W Pas; P P F M Kuijer; H Wind; J K Sluiter; J W Groothoff; S Brouwer; M H W Frings-Dresen Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2013-03-14 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Sylvia J Vermeulen; Johannes R Anema; Antonius Jm Schellart; Willem van Mechelen; Allard J van der Beek Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-07-02 Impact factor: 3.295