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Document ID (ISN)102107
CIS number 03-1192
ISBN(s) 951-802-548-7
Year 2003
Convention or series no. People and Work Research Reports 60
Author(s) Karjalainen K.
Title Multidisciplinary interventions for low back pain: Evaluation of effectiveness
Bibliographic information Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Publication Office, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250 Helsinki, Finland, 2003. 98p. Illus. Bibl.ref.
Abstract The aim of this study was to review the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain and to develop a feasible intervention for patients with subacute low pain not requiring operative treatment as well as to assess its effectiveness, cost and modifying factors. 164 patients were randomly assigned into three groups: 56 underwent a mini-intervention (patient's history, examination by a physician and a physiotherapist, exercises and advice), 51 a mini intervention plus a worksite visit and 57 a conventional treatment. Pain, quality of life, satisfaction of care, sick leave, consumption of health services and costs were measured at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The results show that the mini-intervention is cost-saving and effective for most patients with subacute low back pain. A worksite visit supplementing the intervention does not seem to produce any beneficial effects.
Descriptors (primary) Finland; rehabilitation; economic aspects; backache; lumbar column
Descriptors (secondary) literature survey; report; sickness absenteeism; comparative study; medical treatment; cost-benefit analysis; evaluation of technique
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Country / State or ProvinceFinland
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Economic aspects
Rehabilitiation