Abstract
Effective interventions are needed for return-to-work (RTW) for individuals with chronic pain on long-term sick leave. In this study, a behavioral medicine physiotherapy protocol was systematically replicated and added to workplace components. The intervention was evaluated for fidelity and effects on target activities and work ability. A single-case experimental design was used with five participants. Daily and weekly ratings of personalized target activities at work as well as work ability were carried out throughout the study period of 26–28 weeks. Effects of the behavioral medicine physiotherapy intervention were evaluated for each individual using visual analysis of displayed graphs and quantitative non-overlap methods. Goal achievement for target activities was reviewed. Three participants completed the intervention. The results indicated an effect from the behavioral medicine physiotherapy intervention on task-specific self-efficacy for target activities, but no consistent effect on experience of target activities or work ability. All three participants had increased function in target activities in line with pre-defined goals. Fidelity to the intervention manual was good. Behavioral medicine physiotherapy can be successfully adapted to work disability and was here replicated in an RTW context for individuals with chronic pain. The intervention protocol should be further evaluated in large-scale studies.
Highlights
IntroductionChronic pain is common in adult populations, with a prevalence of 19% [3]
Based on the literature on combining workplace involvement and physiotherapy and/or psychological treatment for RTW for individuals with chronic pain [8,11,12,13,14,16,17], we argue that there is a potential for integration of workdirected behavioral medicine physiotherapy in RTW rehabilitation, and further research is warranted
Behavioral medicine physiotherapy for persons with chronic pain can be successfully adapted from previous protocols and replicated in an RTW context
Summary
Chronic pain is common in adult populations, with a prevalence of 19% [3]. Pain-related disorders constitute the second most common cause of long-term sick leave in western countries [5]. In Sweden, 17% of long-term sick leave is related to musculoskeletal diagnoses [6]. Effective interventions for return-towork (RTW) are needed for individuals with chronic pain on sick leave. There are numerous intervention programs in different contexts for individuals on sick leave, there seem to be diverse outcomes regarding RTW [7], with consistent support only for interventions with active involvement in the workplace [8,9,10]. Integration of actions to support RTW for individuals with chronic pain within primary care is a promising way forward, where more research is needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
