Workplace Based Rehabilitation for Low Back Disorders
Workplace Based Rehabilitation for Low Back Disorders
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of back supports plus education upon
 recovery from a work-related low back disorder. The study tests the hypothesis: the use of
 back supports plus health education is not different from health education alone in promoting
 recovery from a work-related low back disorder in consideration of personal, health, and job
 factors. Significant improvements in physical health, neurogenic symptoms, back pain
 disability, and low back pain were observed over the twelve months of study follow-up. No
 statistically significant difference between the study groups was found with respect to these
 measures.
BACKGROUND Low back pain remains a common major source of morbidity and disability. Few
 studies consider the effectiveness of interventions for low back pain while simultaneously
 considering personal, health, and job characteristics.

 METHODS This is a randomized clinical trial in which 433 active employees with low back
 disorders were randomly assigned to one of two study groups: 1) back support plus education
 on back health; or 2) education on back health only. Demographic, health, medical, and job
 factors were recorded. Outcomes were evaluated over a twelve month period and included
 self-reported measures of back pain, back pain disability level, physical health, mental
 health, back pain recurrence and administrative measures.

 RESULTS Significant improvements in physical health, neurogenic symptoms, back pain
 disability, and low back pain were observed over time in both study groups. However, there
 was no significant difference between the study groups with respect to these outcome
 measures. The adjusted hazard ratio of recurrence rate was suggestive of an incremental
 protective effect due to back supports over education alone (adjusted hazard ratio
 [AHR]=0.711, 95% CI 0.50, 1.04, p=.085). There was also a marginal effect of back supports
 and education on decreasing low back pain over time (AHR=0.0015, p=0.091).

 CONCLUSIONS Back supports may have some value in promoting recovery from low back pain, but
 this effect is only observed in individuals who are actively employed in jobs with medium
 risk of low back disorders.
Inclusion Criteria:

 work-related low back disorder, 18-64 years of age,active hourly worker, enrollment into
 study within eight weeks of diagnosis, signed informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 no other concurrent work-related condition not pregnant