Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain?
METHODS
A controlled randomized clinical trial was performed.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a light mobilization program on the duration of sick leave for patients with subacute low back pain.


BACKGROUND
Early intervention with information, diagnostics, and light mobilization may be a cost-effective method for returning patients quickly to normal activity. In this experiment, patients were referred to a low back pain clinic and given this simple and systematic program as an outpatient treatment.


METHODS
In this study, 457 patients sick-listed 8 to 12 weeks for low back pain, as recorded by the National Insurance Offices, were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n = 237) and a control group (n = 220). The intervention group was examined at a spine clinic and given information and advice to stay active. The control group was not examined at the clinic, but was treated with conventional primary health care.


RESULTS
At 12-month follow-up assessment, 68.4% in the intervention group had returned to full-duty work, as compared with 56.4% in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Early intervention with examination, information, and recommendations to stay active showed significant effects in reducing sick leave for patients with low back pain.
Hagen
E M
EM
Spine Clinic, Central Hospital in Hedmark, Ottestad, Norway. emhagen@online.no
Eriksen
H R
HR
Ursin
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018582:Sick Leave; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014942:Workers' Compensation