title: Psychosocial support in rehabilitation after orthopedic injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have shown that psychosocial factors play a significant role in the recovery process after injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether psychosocial support would have a beneficial effect on outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 151 patients with orthopedic injuries were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group was offered a psychosocial support program during the early phase of rehabilitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year after the injury, patients in the control group had an excess risk of having psychiatric complaints compared with patients in the intervention group (odds ratio = 2.74). They also reported a poorer quality of life according to Short Formula 36 Health Survey subscores for General Health (odds ratio = 2.3) and Vitality (odds ratio = 2.45). The length of the sick leave period did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychosocial support during the early phase of rehabilitation after orthopedic injuries may have a beneficial effect on outcome when measured as quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Orthopaedics at Stockholm Söder Hospital, Sweden. sari.ponzer@ortoped.sos.sll.se
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponzer
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Molin
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Törnkvist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018582:Sick Leave; D012944:Social Support