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

Overview

Journal J Occup Rehabil

Publisher Springer

Specialties Occupational Medicine
Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2016 Feb 25

PMID 26910406

Citations 23

Authors

Randi Brendbekken

Hege R Eriksen

Astrid Grasdal

Anette Harris

Eli M Hagen

Tone Tangen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

The effect of interdisciplinary treatment on sickness absence and disability pension among chronic pain patients on partial disability pension.

Constan L, Frumento P, LoMartire R PLoS One. 2025; 20(2):e0317797.

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Adverse childhood experiences, subsequent negative life events, and their impact on health in occupational rehabilitation patients: a mixed-methods study.

Eftedal M, Johansen T, Del Risco Kollerud R Front Rehabil Sci. 2024; 5:1389337.

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Occupational risks and musculoskeletal complaints among industrial workers: a cross-sectional study.

Dos Santos I, de Oliveira A, Viscardi L, Suassuna J, Santos A, Brasileiro-Santos M Rev Bras Med Trab. 2024; 21(2):e2022878.

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Fostering Stay at Work After a Period of Disability: A Scoping Review of Occupational Rehabilitation Strategies to Support Workers in the Adoption of Preventive Behaviours.

Lecours A, Coutu M, Durand M J Occup Rehabil. 2023; 34(1):56-70.

PMID: 37358726 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10122-6.

Machine learning clinical decision support for interdisciplinary multimodal chronic musculoskeletal pain treatment.

Zmudzki F, Smeets R Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2023; 4:1177070.

PMID: 37228809 PMC: 10203229. DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1177070.

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