Early Return to Work Has Benefits for Relief of Back Pain and Functional Recovery After Controlling for Multiple Confounds

Details

• Personal Author:
  Gaines B ; Nelson CC ; Peters SE ; Shaw WS ; Woiszwillo MJ
• Description:
  Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on health outcomes of an early or immediate return-to-work (RTW) after acute low back pain (LBP). Methods: A longitudinal cohort of workers (N = 557) consulting for uncomplicated LBP were assessed on demographic, pain, occupational, and psychosocial variables. Pain and function were assessed at 3-month postpain onset. We tested the longitudinal effects of an early RTW on 3-month outcomes. Results: Pain and function improved more rapidly for workers with an immediate (30.7%) or early (1 to 7 days) RTW (36.8%). Eleven demographic, health, or workplace variables were identified as potential confounds, but controlling for these factors only partially attenuated the benefits of an early RTW. Conclusions: An early RTW improves acute LBP and functional recovery, and alternate confounding explanations only partially eclipse this therapeutic effect. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Demography Education Occupational Health Safety Workload Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Acute Low Back Pain Back Pain Demographic Characteristics Disability Early Return-to-work Functional Recovery Health Benefits Pain Recovery Patient Education Physical Exercise Psychosocial Factors Sickness Absence Sickness Certification Total Worker Health TWH Work Capability Work Capacity Work Environment Worker Health Workers

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• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  60
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053145
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2018 Oct; 60(10):901-910
• Contact Point Address:
  William S. Shaw, PhD, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030
• Email:
  wshaw@uchc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction ; Public Safety ; Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070901
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20260831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9a2f4fbbd496cd03b4a042e5e5fa8f41804a7988dfe1137fea329c1d6f010e6aeaab0e70e9dc781a9002e1a735a6c86813b9f8667b38ab9b66ea0cfd060f9380
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215961/cdc_215961_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 221.33 KB ]