Factors promoting staying at work in people with chronic nonspecific musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To identify determinants for staying at work (SAW) in workers with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).


METHODS
A systematic review of factors that promote SAW in workers with CMP. We searched the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. We included studies reporting on working subjects without present CMP-related sick leave. A quality assessment of GRADE criteria and evidence synthesis was performed.


RESULTS
We identified five cross-sectional studies and two qualitative studies reporting on factors associated with SAW in workers with CMP. Consistent association with SAW was found for low perceived physical disability and low emotional distress (low-level evidence). Duration of pain, catastrophizing, self-esteem and marital status were not associated with SAW (low-level evidence). Qualitative studies indicated that personal adjustments and workplace interventions are important determinants for SAW (evidence not graded).


CONCLUSIONS
No high-level evidence for SAW determinants for workers with CMP was identified. Future interventions aimed at promoting SAW could consider reducing perceived physical disability and emotional distress, and promoting adjustment latitude at work, support from supervisors, and the workers' motivation and self-management skills. Further research is required because knowledge of SAW in workers with CMP is scarce, and the relevance of the subject is high.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. h.j.de.vries@cvr.umcg.nl
Haitze J
HJ
de Vries
Michiel F
MF
Reneman
Johan W
JW
Groothoff
Jan H B
JH
Geertzen
Sandra
S
Brouwer
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace