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Occupational Medicine Advance Access originally published online on August 11, 2006
Occupational Medicine 2006 56(7):497-500; doi:10.1093/occmed/kql086
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

SHORT REPORT

Evaluation of a functional restoration programme in chronic low back pain

Nicola Hunter1, Chris Sharp2, Julie Denning3 and Lutgen Terblanche1

1 RehabWorks Ltd, St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3PH, UK
2 Workfit, The Old Bakery, St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3PH, UK
3 MRD Ltd, c/o RehabWorks Ltd, St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3PH, UK

Background Persistent low back pain is a major health and socio-economic problem in the UK. Evidence-based guidelines have been produced to inform management strategies for this significant health issue. This study reports the outcome of a tertiary intervention functional restoration programme (FRP) in manual workers of a water utility company, consistent with UK guidelines.

Objectives To evaluate whether a FRP could achieve a sustainable improvement in back health, a sustainable return to full duties and a cost reduction.

Method Participants were assessed at start, end, 12 and 24 months post-programme.

Results Eighty-nine employees completed the FRP; 78 returned to normal duties, nine to restricted duties and two left the employer shortly after. Overall, there were significant improvements in psychological status, perceived pain, disability and work capability. Improvements were sustained for 24 months. Sickness absence and the need for post-treatment work restrictions decreased. Reductions in ill-health retirements and compensation claims for low back pain were reduced.

Conclusion The findings support the effectiveness of a tertiary intervention FRP for workers with persistent low back pain.

Keywords      Functional restoration programme; ill-health retirement; low back pain; perceived pain and disability; return to work; sickness absence

Correspondence to: Nicola Hunter, RehabWorks Ltd, St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3PH, UK. Tel: +44 1284 748285; fax: +44 1284 748289; e-mail: nicola{at}rehabworks.co.uk


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