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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Mar;27(1):82-91.
doi: 10.1007/s10926-016-9634-5.

Return to Work in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Multidisciplinary Intervention Versus Brief Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Randi Brendbekken  1 , Hege R Eriksen  2 , Astrid Grasdal  3 , Anette Harris  4 , Eli M Hagen  5 , Tone Tangen  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Return to Work in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Multidisciplinary Intervention Versus Brief Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Randi Brendbekken et al. J Occup Rehabil. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: This randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the effect of a new multidisciplinary intervention (MI) programme to a brief intervention (BI) programme on return to work (RTW), fully and partly, at a 12-month and 24-month follow-up in patients on long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: Patients (n = 284, mean age 41.3 years, 53.9 % women) who were sick-listed with musculoskeletal pain and referred to a specialist clinic in physical rehabilitation were randomized to MI (n = 141) or BI (n = 143). The MI included the use of a visual educational tool, which facilitated patient-therapist communication and self-management. The MI also applied one more profession, more therapist time and a comprehensive focus on the psychosocial factors, particularly the working conditions, compared to a BI. The main features of the latter are a thorough medical, educational examination, a brief cognitive assessment based on the non-injury model, and a recommendation to return to normal activity as soon as possible.

Results: The number of patients with full-time RTW developed similarly in the two groups. The patients receiving MI had a higher probability to partly RTW during the first 7 months of the follow-up compared to the BI-group.

Conclusions: There were no differences between the groups on full-time RTW during the 24 months. However, the results indicate that MI hastens the return to work process in long-term sick leave through the increased use of partial sick leave.

Trial registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with the registration number NCT01346423.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Coping; Return to work; Sick leave; Work disability.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of participation in treatment sessions: MI multidisciplinary intervention, BI brief intervention, RTW return to work
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The ISIVET-figure “Working conditions”, assessed three times
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Descriptive statistics on work status in valid % of multidisciplinary intervention group (MI) and brief intervention group (BI): proportions fully returned to work (f-RTW), partly returned to work (p-RTW) for both groups at each month for 24 months follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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