Secondary Prevention of Work-Related Disability in Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Does Problem-Solving Therapy Help? A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Given the individual and economic burden of chronic work disability in low back pain patients, there is a need for effective preventive interventions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether problem-solving therapy had a supplemental value when added to behavioral graded activity, regarding days of sick leave and work status. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Employees who were recently on sick leave as a result of nonspecific low back pain were referred to the rehabilitation center by general practitioner, occupational physician, or rehabilitation physician. Forty-five employees had been randomly assigned to the experimental treatment condition that included behavioral graded activity and problem-solving therapy (GAPS), and 39 employees had been randomly assigned to behavioral graded activity and group education (GAGE). OUTCOME MEASURES: Days of sick leave and work status. Data were retrieved from occupational health services. RESULTS: Data analyses showed that employees in the GAPS group had significantly fewer days of sick leave in the second half-year after the intervention. Moreover, work status was more favorable for employees in this condition, in that more employees had a 100% return-to-work and fewer patients ended up receiving disability pensions one year after the intervention. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of problem-solving therapy to behavioral graded activity had supplemental value in employees with nonspecific low back pain.