Bridging the Gap: Evidence-Informed Early Intervention Practices for Injured Workers with Nonvisible Disabilities

Abstract

Aiming to bridge research and practice, evidence-informed best clinical and occupational practices are a necessity to address alarming economic and personal costs associated with workplace disability. Concerning are both high prevalence and adverse occupational impact of nonvisible disabilities arising from musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain and temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, as well as mental health disorders. Notably, low back pain and temporomandibular joint disorders are considered, respectively, the first and second most frequently occurring musculoskeletal conditions (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (2008). Facial pain. Retrieved from NIDCR website: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/FacialPain/). Low back pain is by far the best researched nonvisible condition and leads the way for the development of evidence-informed guidelines for early intervention. For low back pain, a condition of focus in our chapter, our review will center on the subacute phase, viewed as the “golden hour” for early intervention (Loisel et al. Dis Manag Health Outcome 9: 351–360, 2001; Frank et al. Work-ready: return-to-work approaches for people with soft-tissue injuries. Toronto, ON: Institute for Work & Health, 2000). Emerging but trailing back pain research, best evidence-informed practices for early intervention in temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, and other highly prevalent nonvisible conditions: anxiety, depression, and serious mental disorders, will also be discussed. Future research and practice directions will be highlighted.