• Occup Environ Med · Jan 2012

    Randomized Controlled Trial

    Counselling low-back-pain patients in secondary healthcare: a randomised trial addressing experienced workplace barriers and physical activity.

    • Lone Donbæk Jensen, Thomas Maribo, Berit Schiøttz-Christensen, Finn Hjorth Madsen, Bigitte Gonge, Michael Christensen, and Poul Frost.
    • Danish Ramazzini Center, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 42, Building 2C, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. lonjesen@rm.dk
    • Occup Environ Med. 2012 Jan 1; 69 (1): 21-8.

    ObjectiveTo assess if counselling by an occupational physician (OP) addressing experienced workplace barriers and physical activity integrated as a part of low-back pain (LBP) outpatient treatment influences pain, function and sick leave.MethodsRandomised controlled trial in the secondary healthcare sector with 3 months' follow-up. The participants were LBP patients who, independently of sick-leave status, expressed concerns about the ability to maintain their current job. Patients referred for surgery were excluded. The intervention consisted of two counselling sessions conducted by an OP addressing both workplace barriers and leisure-time physical activity. A workplace visit was performed if required. Pain, function and duration of sick leave due to LBP were primary outcomes.ResultsA reduction in bodily pain and improvement in physical function both measured by the 36-item short-form health survey questionnaire in favour of the intervention group was found. The change in pain score was found to be clinically relevant. The risk of sick leave for at least 8 weeks due to LBP was significantly reduced in the intervention group. Two secondary outcomes, Fear Avoidance Beliefs about physical activity and maximum oxygen uptake, supported compliance and adherence to the part of the intervention focusing on enhanced physical activity.ConclusionTwo short counselling sessions by an OP combining advice on meeting workplace barriers and enhancing physical activity had a substantial effect on important prognostic factors for LBP patients with moderate to severe symptoms diagnosed in outpatient rheumatological clinics.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN13071157.

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