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A Systematic Review of Workplace Rehabilitation Interventions for Work-Related Low Back Pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Renee M. Williams*
Affiliation:
McMaster University, Canada. rwilliam@mcmaster.ca
Muriel G. Westmorland
Affiliation:
McMaster University, Canada.
Chia-Yu Lin
Affiliation:
McMaster University, Canada.
Gloria Schmuck
Affiliation:
Link With Work, Grand River Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Marg Creen
Affiliation:
Manulife Financial, Ontario, Canada.
*
*Address for correspondence: Renee M. Williams, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 1C7.

Abstract

This article describes the process and outcome of a systematic review that evaluated the effectiveness of workplace rehabilitation interventions for work-related low back pain (LBP). Between 1982 and 2005 CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and AMED databases were searched for studies of interventions that were provided at the workplace for workers with LBP. Using methodological quality appraisal 5 reviewers scrutinised the articles. A total of 1224 articles were reviewed and 15 articles, consisting of 10 studies, were deemed of sufficient quality to be included. The best evidence was clinical interventions with occupational interventions, as well as early return to work/modified work interventions, were effective in returning workers to work earlier, reducing pain and disability, and decreasing the rate of back injuries. Ergonomic interventions were also found to be effective workplace interventions.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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