['To compare the cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with traditional treatment within primary care in terms of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) on the one hand and the costs to society on the other. Predictors of total costs, such as motivation, socio-economic level, age, pain, and working environment, were investigated.', 'A prospective, matched, controlled 2-year follow-up study was designed. The main outcome measures were HRQOL using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and patient-specific total costs due to society. The cost-effectiveness was expressed as a quotient of the total costs to society/NHP global score difference value.', 'Patients with prolonged MSD generate substantial total costs to society, chiefly in the area of indirect costs. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation improved HRQOL more cost-effectively. Motivation was revealed as a predictor of total costs. The relationship in savings in terms of indirect costs between the highly-motivated and the less-motivated patients was calculated at 4:1.'] Are motivated patients more cost-effectively rehabilitated . A two-year prospective controlled study of patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders diagnosed in primary care?