title: Effectiveness of in-patient rehabilitation for sub-chronic and chronic low back pain by an integrative group treatment program (Swiss Multicentre Study).
abstract: In this multicentre intervention study, we compared an integrated group treatment program which combines psychological and education methods into a more active training approach, with the traditional individual approach of physiotherapy and physical procedures for sub-chronic and chronic low back pain. Our 411 patients had a 4-week inpatient treatment: 243 patients in an experimental program and 168 in a traditional program. Outcomes of 283 patients were assessed 3 months and 1 year after entry. The dropout rate was 31.1%. Both conditions demonstrated favourable initial effects on functional and psychological parameters, but the integrated approach showed better long-term results for work rehabilitation than the traditional approach. The most successful patients (n = 58) were younger and had a higher educational level in comparison to the unsuccessful subgroup (n = 71). The main conclusion is that an integrated approach promoting self control and behaviour change through educational measures achieves better long-term results than the traditional individual physiotherapy approach.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Out-Patient Service, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Keel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wittig
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deutschmann
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Diethelm
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Knüsel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Löschmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matathia
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rudolf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spring
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004522:Educational Status; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome