A comparison of work absence periods and the associated costs for two different modes of exercise therapies for patients with longstanding subacromial pain.
BACKGROUND
There are no studies on economic issues concerning rehabilitation exercises for shoulder pain.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate sick leave and the associated costs after a medical exercise therapy programme in patients with longstanding subacromial pain/impingement.


METHODS
A randomised controlled trial in which 61 patients were randomly assigned either to a high-dosage medical exercise therapy group (HD) (n=31) or to a low dosage exercise therapy group (LD) (n=30). Both groups were given three treatments a week over 3 months. The differences between the groups were number of repetitions, number of sets and time performing global aerobic exercises.


RESULTS
The outcome for the HD group was significantly (p<0.05) better compared to the LD group. The reduction in costs for sick leave for the HD group was 59.1%, whereas for the LD group, the reduction was only 42.3%, which is a significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with longstanding subacromial pain, HD medical exercise therapy might be an efficient treatment approach.
Østerås
Håvard
H
Faculty of Health Education and Social Work, Department of Physical Therapy, Sør-Trøndelag University College, N-7004, Trondheim, Norway. harvard.osteras@hist.no
Arild Torstensen
Tom
T
Arntzen
Geir
G
S Østerås
Berit
B
D000041:Absenteeism; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation