The following factors were found to have consistent , but limited , support as regards their influence on the risk for sick leave due to back and neck disorders : ( a ) heavy physical workload , bent or twisted working position , and low work satisfaction increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( b ) specific back diagnoses and previous sick leave due to back disorders increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( c ) female gender , smoking , exposure to vibration , and deficient social support were not found to significantly increase the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( d ) self-reported pain and functional impairments were associated with a high risk for long-term sick leave ; ( e ) longer employment periods reduced the risk for short-term sick leave ; ( f ) perceived dem and s at work did not influence short-term sick leave ; ( g ) female gender and higher age increases the risk for disability pension
Does Early Intervention With a Light Mobilization Program Reduce Long-Term Sick Leave for Low Back Pain?
Study Design . A controlled r and omized clinical trial was performed . Objective . To investigate the effect of a light mobilization program on the duration of sick leave for patients with subacute low back pain . Summary of Background Data . Early intervention with information , diagnostics , and light mobilization may be a cost-effective method for returning patients quickly to normal activity . In this experiment , patients were referred to a low back pain clinic and given this simple and systematic program as an outpatient treatment . Methods . In this study , 457 patients sick-listed 8 to 12 weeks for low back pain , as recorded by the National Insurance Offices , were r and omized into two groups : an intervention group ( n = 237 ) and a control group  ( n = 220 ) . The intervention group was examined at a spine clinic and given information and advice to stay active . The control group was not examined at the clinic , but was treated with conventional primary health care . Results . At 12-month follow-up assessment , 68.4 % in the intervention group had returned to full-duty work , as compared with 56.4 % in the control group . Conclusions . Early intervention with examination , information , and recommendations to stay active showed significant effects in reducing sick leave for patients with low back pain
The following factors were found to have consistent , but limited , support as regards their influence on the risk for sick leave due to back and neck disorders : ( a ) heavy physical workload , bent or twisted working position , and low work satisfaction increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( b ) specific back diagnoses and previous sick leave due to back disorders increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( c ) female gender , smoking , exposure to vibration , and deficient social support were not found to significantly increase the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( d ) self-reported pain and functional impairments were associated with a high risk for long-term sick leave ; ( e ) longer employment periods reduced the risk for short-term sick leave ; ( f ) perceived dem and s at work did not influence short-term sick leave ; ( g ) female gender and higher age increases the risk for disability pension