Title
Back schools in occupational health care: Design of a randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study
Author
Heymans, M.W.
de Vet, H.C.
Bongers, P.M.
Koes, B.W.
van Mechelen, W.
TNO Arbeid
Publication year
2004
Abstract
To describe the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), including a cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing high-intensity and low-intensity back schools with usual care in occupational health care. RCT and cost-effectiveness analysis. Employees sick-listed for a period of 3 to 6 weeks because of nonspecific low back pain. High-intensity back school treatment consists of a training program based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Low-intensity back school treatment is comparable to the original Swedish Back School. Usual care is provided by the occupational physician according to the Dutch guidelines for the occupational health treatment of patients with low back pain. Primary outcome measures are return to work, pain intensity, functional status, and general improvement. Secondary outcome measures are kinesiophobia and pain coping. The cost-effectiveness analysis includes the direct and indirect costs. The outcome measures are assessed before randomization and 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. RCTs of different methodological quality have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of back schools in occupational health care. The large variation in type, content, and intensity of back schools has led to conflicting evidence. Therefore, 2 different forms of back schools are compared. Moreover, this is the first RCT to include a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing low-intensity and high-intensity back schools with usual care in occupational health care.
Subject
Workplace
Veilig en Gezond Werken
Clinical trial
Controlled clinical trial
Controlled study
Coping behavior
Cost effectiveness analysis
Employee
Functional assessment
Health care
Health care cost
Health program
Major clinical study
Occupational health
Outcomes research
Pain assessment
Physician
Randomized controlled trial
Work
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Humans
Low Back Pain
Middle Aged
Occupational Health Services
Randomized Controlled Trials
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fd84ac58-1a77-4ffa-b23f-fab0e9e69065
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2004.06.004
TNO identifier
237957
ISSN
0161-4754
Source
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 27 (7), 457-465
Document type
article