[Rehabilitation of back problems in Finland--effect of illness certificate and early disability retirement]

The effectiveness of rehabilitation has been studied in large series of Finnish patients with chronic low back pain. If the criterion of efficacy is reduction in the extent of sick leave and the incidence of disability pensions, the results are modest. Simple out-patient treatment yielded results comparable to those of costly treatment programmes at rehabilitation centres. Although intensive physical training increased mobility, muscular strength and endurance test values, it had no beneficial effect on figures for sick leave and disability retirement. To achieve better results in rehabilitation, the psychosocial factors involved in low back pain need to be taken into account as important components of the illness.