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Interventions for disability management
1School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Ontario, Canada. weirr@mcmaster.ca
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|January 11, 2002
Summary
Modified work programs show promise for improving return-to-work rates in injured workers. Evidence for work conditioning and work hardening in chronic pain disability management remains uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Low back pain prevalence is increasing, necessitating effective management strategies.
- Interventions include modified work, work conditioning, and work hardening programs.
- These programs aim to gradually increase workload, promote return to work, and address physical/functional needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of modified work programs, work hardening, and work conditioning.
- To assess their impact on chronic pain disability management.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted to identify relevant systematic reviews.
- Two systematic literature reviews were utilized to gather evidence on these interventions.
Main Results:
- Modified work programs demonstrated positive return-to-work effects in 8 of 11 methodologically sound studies.
- Work conditioning and work hardening studies showed methodological variability and uncertain results.
- Three of four medium-quality studies on work conditioning/hardening reported positive effects.
Conclusions:
- Modified work programs may enhance return-to-work rates for workers with injuries lasting six months or more.
- Evidence is insufficient to identify specific beneficial components of modified work programs.
- Work conditioning and work hardening have uncertain efficacy for chronically disabled workers' return to work.