RESUMEN
A prospective randomized study of 542 injured workers with continuing pain compared 271 workers who were treated at either one of two clinics that provided functional restoration with a control group of 271 subjects. Chronic pain was caused by low back injury in 78% of patients; 79% of those treated were at work 12 months after completion of treatment compared with 78% of the control subjects. When the patients were divided into subsets, based on the accident date and followed monthly, the duration of absence from work, the compensation costs, the disability award costs, and the total costs were less for those treated than the control subjects, but these were not statistically significant. Using the difference in total costs as a measure of relative success, back injuries had better results than other injuries in this study.
Asunto(s)
Traumatismos de la Espalda , Dolor/etiología , Traumatismos de los Tejidos Blandos/complicaciones , Traumatismos de los Tejidos Blandos/rehabilitación , Heridas y Lesiones/complicaciones , Absentismo , Adulto , Enfermedad Crónica , Análisis Costo-Beneficio , Personas con Discapacidad , Femenino , Costos de la Atención en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Manejo del Dolor , Pensiones , Estudios Prospectivos , Indemnización para Trabajadores , Heridas y Lesiones/rehabilitaciónRESUMEN
Dissatisfaction with current nonsurgical treatment of acute soft tissue and back injuries initiated a search for more effective treatment. A multicenter trial, involving 12 clinics, treated 1,072 patients. Treatment consisted of intensive, time-limited exercises emphasizing mobility, muscle strengthening, work conditioning, sequence training, and appropriate education sessions. Return to full-time work was proof that the patient had recovered fully. Time off work and compensation costs were parameters used to evaluate results. A detailed study of 703 patients treated at five clinics, operational for more than 12 months, showed superior results when compared with the comparison group of 2,172 matched control subjects. The treatment group returned to work earlier and realized substantial cost savings. This treatment program has proved to be superior to the miscellaneous variety of treatment modalities used for acute soft tissue and back injuries provided to the comparison group.