[Good results from a multidisciplinary and behavioral program for chronic back pain].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of a multidisciplinary and behavioral program for chronic back pain.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
In 1996, a total of 143 patients with chronic back pain participated in a 4-week multidisciplinary and behavioral treatment program in an outpatient centre for work reintegration (Rug AdviesCentrum) in Zeist, Eindhoven and Noordwijk, the Netherlands. At the start and six months after termination, data were collected on trunk muscle performance, pain intensity, disability and stress related physical complaints, and after 6 months about return to work, analgesics use, and health care utilization. Score differences between the first and the second measurements were tested on statistical significance using paired t-tests and on clinical relevance using the reliable change-index.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 99 males and 44 females with a mean age of 41.6 years (range: 23-58). After 6 months the outcome variables were significantly improved statistically: depending on the outcome variable used, the improvement was clinically relevant in 44-91% of patients. The obtained percentage of full return to work at 6-months follow-up was 87%, while 80% had used no pain killers and 91% had made no use of health care facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
The program resulted in important improvements in patients with chronic back pain.
Vendrig
A A
AA
Rug AdviesCentra Nederland, De Bilt. vendrig@rac-zeist.nl
van Akkerveeken
P F
PF
Sanders
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001416:Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D018710:Pain Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics