[Can chronic musculoskeletal pain be reduced by education? Results from an educational test model]

An attempt was made to rehabilitate 67 employees with chronic musculoskeletal pain at 20 different work sites in Norway by means of an educational model. Nine groups were each counselled by two specially trained occupational health personnel. They met for 2-3 hours during working hours at intervals of two to three weeks for one year. Key words in the educational model are: Change of focus from pain and disability to resources and potentials, Higher degree of self-awareness, Development of inner authority. The results indicate that group participation reduces pain and dysfunction and increases everyday coping abilities. In this uncontrolled study 41% had less pain (p = 0.025), 68% coped better with the pain (p < 0.001) and 56% coped better with their everyday life (p < 0.001). Absenteeism was reduced by 28% (p = 0.039) and the need for physiotherapy decreased (p = 0.06).