Workplace involvement improves return to work rates among employees with back pain on long-term sick leave: a systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions

doi:10.3109/09638280903186301

Paper

Workplace involvement improves return to work rates among employees with back pain on long-term sick leave: a systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions

Published Jan 1, 2010 · C. Carroll, J. Rick, H. Pilgrim

Disability and Rehabilitation

Q1 SJR score

201

Citations

10

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

Purpose. Long-term sickness absence among workers is a major problem in industrialised countries. The aim of the review is to determine whether interventions involving the workplace are more effective and cost-effective at helping employees on sick leave return to work than those that do not involve the workplace at all. Methods. A systematic review of controlled intervention studies and economic evaluations. Sixteen electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched, and reference and citation tracking was performed on included publications. A narrative synthesis was performed. Results. Ten articles were found reporting nine trials from Europe and Canada, and four articles were found evaluating the cost-effectiveness of interventions. The population in eight trials suffered from back pain and related musculoskeletal conditions. Interventions involving employees, health practitioners and employers working together, to implement work modifications for the absentee, were more consistently effective than other interventions. Early intervention was also found to be effective. The majority of trials were of good or moderate quality. Economic evaluations indicated that interventions with a workplace component are likely to be more cost effective than those without. Conclusion. Stakeholder participation and work modification are more effective and cost effective at returning to work adults with musculoskeletal conditions than other workplace-linked interventions, including exercise.

Systematic Review

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Workplace interventions involving employees, health practitioners, and employers are more effective and cost-effective than non-workplace interventions for returning to work with musculoskeletal conditions.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Workplace involvement improves return to work rates among employees with back pain on long-term sick leave: a systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions

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References

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Citations

Nurses’ viewpoint of sustaining work despite musculoskeletal pain: A qualitative study

Iranian nurses with musculoskeletal pain perceive sustaining work as challenging, and interventions focusing on education, workplace adjustments, supportive culture, and regulations can help ease this burden.

A systematic review of programs and interventions for reduction of sickness absence in nursing staff with work-related musculoskeletal disorders

There is insufficient evidence to identify effective interventions to prevent and reduce sickness absence and improve work outcomes in nursing staff with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

What is the volume, quality and characteristics of evidence relating to the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of multi‐disciplinary occupational health interventions aiming to improve work‐related outcomes for employed adults? An evidence and gap map of systematic reviews

This evidence and gap map highlights the array of systematic review evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of multi-disciplinary occupational health interventions in supporting return to work for employed adults.

Which interventions are used in the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers having suffered an occupational injury? A scoping review.

This study identified 19 interventions (work capacity development, task modifications, permanent part-time work, and alternative roles) that can help aging workers recover and return to work after an occupational injury.

Returning to Work After Sickness Absence Due to Low Back Pain: A Poetic Representation

A poem, "The struggle within," captures clients' experiences and perceptions of returning to work after sickness absence due to low back pain, highlighting the importance of incorporating narratives and stories in healthcare.

Effectiveness of 'motivational interviewing' on sick leave: a randomized controlled trial in a social insurance setting

Motivational interviewing (MI) was not found to be more effective on return to work for sick-listed individuals compared to usual case management or an active control.

Disability and return to work after a multidisciplinary intervention for (sub)acute low back pain: A systematic review

A multidisciplinary intervention is beneficial for pain intensity and functional status, but return to work outcomes are less clear.

Active engagement of managers in employee RTW and manager-employee relationship: managers’ experiences of participating in a dialogue using the Demand and Ability Protocol

Managers' involvement in the return-to-work process for employees with chronic pain conditions benefits their relationship and the organization.