A 6-year follow-up study of 122 patients attending a multiprofessional rehabilitation programme for persistent musculoskeletal-related pain.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome 6 years after completing a multiprofessional 8-week rehabilitation programme regarding the following objectives: (1) return to work, (2) level of activity and (3) pain intensity. Of 149 patients attending a rehabilitation programme, 122 were followed up after 6 years, through a structured telephone interview, and their present work situation, level of activity, sleeping habits, their estimated pain intensity and consumption of analgesics were recorded. The questions presented were the same as they had answered before entering the programme. The return-to-work rate was compared to 79 patients in a control group. At the 6-year follow-up, compared to before entering the programme, 52% had returned to work (P<0.001). In the control group the return-to-work rate was 13%. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant higher level of activity (P=0.037). A pain reduction was experienced by 58% of the patients (P<0.001) and 47% of the patients had decreased their consumption of analgesics (P<0.001). In conclusion, after completing the structured 8-week rehabilitation programme, the return-to-work rate was higher at a 6-year follow-up than in a control group. Furthermore, they had a higher level of activity and lower level of pain intensity than before entering the programme, indicating that the rehabilitation programme had a long-term positive effect on the return-to-work-rate, activity and pain as well as on the analgesic consumption.
Norrefalk
Jan-Rickard
JR
Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. norrefalk@hotmail.com
Linder
Jürgen
J
Ekholm
Jan
J
Borg
Kristian
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018582:Sick Leave; D013548:Sweden
D000700:Analgesics