OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effect of the symptom magnification syndrome (SMS) behavior pattern on industrial rehabilitation on return to work and maintenance at work. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 99 clients with active workers' compensation claims was studied; 25 identified as having SMS. METHODS: A protocol-driven functional capacity evaluation (FCE) was administered and the presence of SMS was determined from a standard protocol that considered 13 factors. RESULTS: Upon conclusion of intervention, 80 of the 99 clients were classified as ready to return to full-time usual and customary employment. The readiness for full-time return to work among those who did not have SMS (84%) was not statistically different from those with the syndrome (72%). Six months after discharge, follow-up work status data were obtained for 63 clients. Among those that did not display SMS, 76% continued to work full time, while 39% of those initially identified as SMS were working, a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: SMS had no significant bearing on work readiness, but appears to impact maintenance of employment. The value of return to work on a modified basis may need to be reconsidered, because none of the clients who had been discharged ready for modified work were employed at the six-month follow-up.
OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effect of the symptom magnification syndrome (SMS) behavior pattern on industrial rehabilitation on return to work and maintenance at work. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 99 clients with active workers' compensation claims was studied; 25 identified as having SMS. METHODS: A protocol-driven functional capacity evaluation (FCE) was administered and the presence of SMS was determined from a standard protocol that considered 13 factors. RESULTS: Upon conclusion of intervention, 80 of the 99 clients were classified as ready to return to full-time usual and customary employment. The readiness for full-time return to work among those who did not have SMS (84%) was not statistically different from those with the syndrome (72%). Six months after discharge, follow-up work status data were obtained for 63 clients. Among those that did not display SMS, 76% continued to work full time, while 39% of those initially identified as SMS were working, a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS:SMS had no significant bearing on work readiness, but appears to impact maintenance of employment. The value of return to work on a modified basis may need to be reconsidered, because none of the clients who had been discharged ready for modified work were employed at the six-month follow-up.
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: Teresa E Thomas; Roy Eyal; Frank Menchavez; T J Mocci; Gayle Goldblatt; Julie Lanoff; Myron Hays; J Jewel Shim; Timothy P Barry Journal: Perm J Date: 2019-12-03