Interdisciplinary treatment of low back pain. A clinical outcome comparison of compensated versus noncompensated...

Whether the compensation status of patients with chronic pain influences treatment outcome remains an issue. This article describes the treatment outcome status of compensated versus non-compensated chronic low back pain patients who received comprehensive functional restoration treatment in a hospital-based, interdisciplinary, industrial medicine and pain management program. Results of this investigation revealed compensated versus noncompensated treatment group outcome differences in three of the five outcome measures (increased physical activity levels, reduced pain intensity, and return to productivity) at discharge. The non-compensated group demonstrated a greater therapeutic response. These group differences appear to have neutralized gradually, with no group outcome differences noted at the three-month follow-up.