Predicting Pattern Characteristics That Lead To Work Return Following Functional Restoration Treatment In A Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorder Population

Abstract

Chronic pain is a major problem worldwide. Millions of dollars are spent on treatment of chronic pain each year. Some people require a tertiary approach to pain recovery and seek treatment at an interdisciplinary functional restoration rehabilitation program (FRP). The aim of the present study is to identify specific characteristics of a group that would complete an FRP and not return to work. Patients who participated in the FRP can be classified into three groups: return to work (n = 2, 470), quality of life (n = 346) and non-completers (n = 782). Return to work individuals are defined as those individuals who have a goal to return to work. "Quality of life patients" are those who complete the FRP but do not return-to-work. These individuals do not expect to re-enter the work force and pick to either retire, be a stay at home housewife or husband, are disabled, or have another reason. Non-completers are those patients who do not complete the FRP. All patients participated in a medically supervised FRP, consisting of quantitatively-directed exercise progression and multi-modal disability management. Participants were administered psychosocial measures upon admission and chose to be return-to-work, quality of life or non-completers as they undergo treatment in the FRP.