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Individual work support for employed patients with low back pain: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Carol Coole1, Avril Drummond, Paul J Watson
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. carolyn.coole@nottingham.ac.uk
Clinical Rehabilitation
|June 16, 2012
Summary
This study explored work support for low back pain patients, finding it feasible but with limited impact on work ability. Further research needs an integrated approach between healthcare, employers, and employees for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Health services research
Background:
- Low back pain significantly impacts work ability for employed individuals.
- Effective interventions are needed to support patients in maintaining employment.
- Vocational support alongside rehabilitation may improve work capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of individual work support for employed patients with low back pain.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention on perceived work ability.
- To identify challenges and areas for improvement in work-focused interventions.
Main Methods:
- Pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) over 16 weeks with a 6-month follow-up.
- Inclusion of 51 employed participants experiencing low back pain.
- Intervention group received targeted vocational sessions plus group rehabilitation; control group received group rehabilitation only.
Main Results:
- Recruitment and intervention delivery were feasible, though methodological challenges were noted.
- Intervention uptake was influenced by group rehabilitation attendance and workplace engagement.
- The effect on perceived work ability was equivocal, suggesting limited impact.
Conclusions:
- While recruitment and delivery were possible, significant methodological issues were identified.
- The impact of work support interventions may be limited without integrated healthcare, employer, and employee collaboration.
- Further research is necessary to develop and evaluate effective work-focused interventions for this population.
