• Michael J L Sullivan, Heather Adams, Trina Rhodenizer, and William D Stanish.
• Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, CP 6128 Succ. Centre Ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7. michael.jl.sullivan@umontreal.ca
• Phys Ther. 2006 Jan 1; 86 (1): 8-18.

Background And PurposeThe objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of a psychosocial intervention improved return-to-work rates beyond those associated with participation in a functional restoration physical therapy intervention. Subjects who had sustained whiplash injuries participated in the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP), which is a 10-week psychosocial intervention program that aims to increase activity involvement and minimize psychological barriers to rehabilitation progress.Subjects And MethodsA sample of 60 subjects enrolled in a functional restoration physical therapy intervention were used as a historical cohort comparison group. Subjects who received the functional restoration physical therapy intervention were compared with a sample of 70 subjects who received PGAP in addition to physical therapy.ResultsParticipation in PGAP plus physical therapy resulted in a higher return-to-work rate (75%) than participation in physical therapy alone (50%). Differences between treatment conditions were most pronounced for the subgroup of subjects who had the largest number of psychosocial risk factors.Discussion And ConclusionThe findings suggest that a psychosocial risk reduction intervention can be an effective means of improving function and facilitating return to work in people who are at risk for prolonged pain-related disability.

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