title: Effect of peer-based low back pain information and reassurance at the workplace on sick leave: a cluster randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether information and reassurance about low back pain (LBP) given to employees at the workplace could reduce sick leave.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Cluster randomized controlled trial with 135 work units of about 3,500 public sector employees in two Norwegian municipalities, randomized into two intervention groups; Education and peer support (EPS) (n = 45 units), education and "peer support and access to an outpatient clinic" (EPSOC) (n = 48 units), and a control group (n = 42 units). Both interventions consisted of educational meetings based on a "non-injury model" and a "peer adviser" appointed by colleagues. Employees in the EPSOC group had access to an outpatient clinic for medical examination and further education. The control group received no intervention. The main outcome was sick leave based on municipal records. Secondary outcomes were self-reported pain, pain related fear of movement, coping, and beliefs about LBP from survey data of 1,746 employees (response rate about 50 %).
  
  
  RESULTS
  EPS reduced sick leave by 7 % and EPSOC reduced sick leave by 4 % during the intervention year, while sick leave in the control group was increased by 7 % during the same period. Overall, Rate Ratios (RR) were statistically significant for EPSOC (RR = .84 (C.I = 0.71-.99) but not EPS (RR = .92 (C.I = 0.78-1.09)) in a mixed Poisson regression analysis. Faulty beliefs about LBP were reduced in both intervention groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational meetings, combined with peer support and access to an outpatient clinic, were effective in reducing sick leave in public sector employees.
authors: Uni Health, Uni Research, P.O. Box 7810, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Magnus
authors: M
authors: Odeen
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Ihlebæk
authors: Aage
authors: A
authors: Indahl
authors: Marjon E A
authors: ME
authors: Wormgoor
authors: Stein A
authors: SA
authors: Lie
authors: Hege R
authors: HR
authors: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
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