Comparing current definitions of return to work: A measurement approach

Introduction Return-to-work (RTW) status is an often used outcome in work and health research. In low back pain, work is regarded as a normal activity a worker should return to in order to fully recover. Comparing outcomes across studies and even jurisdictions using different definitions of RTW can be challenging for readers in general and when...

What works best for whom? An exploratory, subgroup analysis in a randomized, controlled trial on the effectiveness of a workplace intervention in low back pain patients on return to work

STUDY DESIGN. Exploratory subgroup analysis in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). OBJECTIVE. To detect possible moderators in the effectiveness of a workplace intervention in a population of workers with sick leave due to sub acute nonspecific low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. In a recently published RCT, a workplace intervention was...

An exploratory subgroup analysis in a randomized control trial on the effectiveness of workplace interventions in low back pain patients on sick leave

Sixth International Scientific Conference on Prevention of Work-Related Musculosketal Disorders (PREMUS) Boston, USA, 27-30 august 2007.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for subacute low back pain : graded activity or workplace intervention or both? : a randomized controlled trial

To assess the effectiveness of workplace intervention and graded activity, separately and combined, for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data. Effective components for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of LBP are not yet established. Methods: Participants sick-listed 2 to 6 weeks due to nonspecific...

Economic evaluation of a multi-stage return to work program for workers on sick-leave due to low back pain

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a return to work (RTW) program for workers on sick-leave due to low back pain (LBP), comparing a workplace intervention implemented between 2 to 8 weeks of sick-leave with usual care, and a clinical intervention after 8 weeks of sick-leave with usual care. Design: Economic...

The effectiveness of graded activity for low back pain in occupational healthcare

A controlled trial was performed in a occupational healthcare setting to determine the effectiveness of graded activity as part of a multistage RTW programme. Workers (112) absent from work for more than eight weeks due to low back pain, were randomised to either graded activity (n = 55) or usual care (n = 57). The graded activity, a physical...

Changes in the incidence of occupational disability as a result of back and neck pain in the Netherlands

Background: Back pain (including neck pain) is one of the most prevalent health problems for which physicians are consulted. Back pain can decrease the quality of life considerably during a great part of the lives of those who suffer from it. At the same time it has an enormous economic impact, mainly through sickness absence and long-term...

Effectiveness and implementation of a participatory ergonomics program for workers on sickleave due to low back pain. a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics (PE) program a randomized controlled trial was conducted with workers sicklisted 2-6 weeks due to non specific LBP. Participants were randomized to the PE-intervention (n=96) or usual care (n=100). The PE-program consists of a workplace assessment, ergonomic...

Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave in patients sick listed with acute low back pain: A systematic review of the literature

Background: The percentages of patients with acute low back pain (LBP) that go on to a chronic state varies between studies from 2% to 34%. In some of these cases low back pain leads to great costs. Aims: To evaluate the evidence for prognostic factors for return to work among workers sick listed with acute LBP. Methods: Systematic literature...

Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave due to low back pain in Dutch health care professionals

Information on prognostic factors for duration of sick leave due to low-back pain (LBP) is growing. In this prospective cohort study, prognostic factors for duration of sick leave and course of disability were identified at a very early stage of sick leave due to LBP. A total of 615 workers calling in sick from work due to LBP at an occupational...

Uitvoering van interventieonderzoek in de bedrijfsgezondheidszorg: wat gaat goed, wat kan beter?

Onderzoek in de bedrijfsgezondheidszorg is een zaak van vele partijen. Om tot succesvol onderzoek te komen zijn onderzoekers in de bedrijfsgezondheidszorg bijeengekomen om succes- en faalfactoren voor onderzoek in kaart te brengen. De bereidheid voor deelname aan onderzoek in de bedrijfsgezondheidszorg is groot, maar er dient voldaan te worden...

Toepasbaarheid van de Participatieve Aanpak Werkaanpassing bij verzuim ten gevolge van psychische werkbelasting

Dit artikel betreft een onderzoek naar de bruikbaarheid van de Participatieve Aanpak Werkaanpassing - een stappenplan dat, uitgevoerd door de werknemer met klachten, diens leidinggevende en een procesbegeleider, leidt tot een plan van aanpak voor werkaanpassing - bij het aanpakken van verzuim door psychische werkbelasting. Een secundaire analyse...

Back pain management in Dutch occupational health care

Low back pain (LBP) causes major disability and considerable financial costs, especially when there is a delay in return to work (RTW). This thesis focuses on the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for workers on sick leave due to subacute non-specific LBP. First the changes in the incidence of occupational disability as a result...

Participatory ergonomics as a return-to-work intervention: A future challenge?

Background: Participatory ergonomics (PE) are often applied for prevention of low back pain (LBP). In this pilot-study, a PE-program is applied to the disability management of workers sick listed due to LBP. Methods: The process, implementation, satisfaction, and barriers for implementation concerning the PE-program were analyzed quantitatively...

Cost effectiveness of a multi-stage return to work program for workers on sick leave due to low back pain, design of a population based controlled trial [ISRCTN60233560]

Background: To describe the design of a population based randomized controlled trial (RCT), including a cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing participative ergonomics interventions between 2-8 weeks of sick leave and Graded Activity after 8 weeks of sick leave with usual care, in occupational back pain management. Methods: Discussion: The...