Gender differences in psychosocial influence and rehabilitation outcomes for work-disabled individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate gender differences in rehabilitation outcomes and how psychosocial factors may interact to influence rehabilitation outcome in work-disabled with chronic musculoskeletal pain.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty eight (n=168) persons (mean age = 45.5/SD=9.0) participating in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, were included. Data on pain, functional health and psychosocial factors were collected previous to treatment, after 5 week intensive training and after 52 week follow-up period. Demographics, socio-economics and data on personal characteristics were also collected.


RESULTS
Significant (p<.05) gender differences were found on sleeplessness, meaningfulness and manageability. No significant gender differences were found on pain or functional health status variables. Gender differences (p<.001) were found in how socio-demographic and psychosocial factors influence rehabilitation outcomes in terms of functional health status.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggests that knowledge of gender differences and the way psychosocial factors influence rehabilitation outcomes must be taken into account in designing rehabilitation intervention.
Lillefjell
Monica
M
Department of Social Work and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway. monica.lillefjell@hist.no
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009664:Norway; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors