Physical activity after inpatient occupational rehabilitation: Secondary outcomes of two randomized controlled trials

To assess whether inpatient multicomponent occupational rehabilitation, including physical activity (PA), increases the PA level of participants more than an outpatient program without PA, and whether changes in PA are associated with future work outcomes.

A total of 265 participants were included in one of two randomized clinical trials. Participants had been sick listed 2-12 months with a musculo-skeletal, psychological, or general/unspecified diagnosis. We measured PA by questionnaires at the start of the programs and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Between-group differences in PA were assessed using linear mixed models. Associations between change in PA and future work outcomes were assessed by logistic and linear regression.

There was no difference in change in PA between the inpatient and outpatient programs during 12 months of follow-up. We did not find any associations between the amount of PA and future work outcomes. However, intensity of PA was positively associated with return to work (RTW); participants reporting increased vigorous PA had an odds ratio (OR) for RTW of 4.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-15.7) whereas participants reporting consistently high intensity of PA had an OR of 3.1 (95% CI 1.0-9.7), compared to participants reporting low-intensity PA.

Inpatient occupational rehabilitation, including PA, did not increase PA-level in the follow-up period more than a less comprehensive program without PA. The amount of PA was not associated with future work outcomes. However, vigorous PA showed a positive association with RTW.