Return to work of 87 severely impaired low back pain patients two years after a program of intensive functional rehabilitation.

作者信息

Bontoux L, Dubus V, Roquelaure Y, Colin D, Brami L, Roche G, Fanello S, Penneau-Fontbonne D, Richard I

机构信息

Services de médecine physique et de réadaptation, CRRRF-CHU, rue des Capucins, 49103 Angers cedex 02, France.

出版信息

Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2009 Feb;52(1):17-29. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2008.12.005. Epub 2009 Jan 24.

UNLABELLED

Return to work is the main long-term objective of rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of work status and number of sick leaves in 87 severely impaired LBP patients 2 years after a functional restoration program.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Open prospective study.

POPULATION

87 chronic LBP patients.

INTERVENTION

multidisciplinary functional restoration program. Ergonomic advice on the workplace was performed for 53 patients.

OUTCOME

work status and number of sick leaves due to LBP.

RESULTS

The characteristics of the 26 patients lost to follow-up did not differ significantly from the rest of the population before the program. In the 61 remaining patients, 48 (78%) were at work at 2 years, 43 full-time and 22 at the same job. Nineteen worked in a different environment. Sick leaves were reduced by 60% compared to the 2 years prior to the program: 128 days (+/-200 days) versus 329 days (+/-179 days); p<0.005.

CONCLUSION

Sick leaves remained significantly reduced and the number of workers who were at work significantly increased at 2 years after an intensive program.