Journal of Pain Research (Feb 2023)
Work Interventions Within Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Programs (IPRP) – Frequency, Patient Characteristics, and Association with Self-Rated Work Ability
Abstract
Frida Svanholm,1 Mathilda Björk,1 Monika Löfgren,2,3 Björn Gerdle,1 Henrik Hedevik,4 Peter Molander1,5 1Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; 4Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; 5Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenCorrespondence: Frida Svanholm, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, County Council of Östergötland, Brigadgatan 22, Linköping, S-58185, Sweden, Tel +46 730-447785, Email [email protected]: Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) help people with chronic pain improve their health and manage their work; however, the way IPRPs address sick leave could be improved. Although work interventions can be a part of IPRP, it is not well known how and to what extent.Aim: This study explores the frequency of work interventions and the characteristics of patients who participate in work interventions as part of IPRP at specialist pain rehabilitation departments in Sweden. In addition, this study explores the association between participation in work interventions and change in patients’ self-rated work ability after IPRP.Methods: Data from the Swedish quality registry for pain rehabilitation (SQRP), which includes 3809 patients between 2016 and 2018, were analysed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses.Results: The results indicate a high participation rate in work interventions (90%). Some differences were evident concerning characteristics of patients who participated in different work interventions. The return-to-work (RTW) plan, the most frequently used work intervention, had the strongest association with change in self-rated work ability after IPRP. However, the effect sizes were small, and the initial score best explained the change. Furthermore, there were differences between employed and unemployed patients and employment had a positive association with change in self-rated work ability.Conclusion: More research is needed to understand IPRP’s mechanisms and work interventions to support patients with chronic pain, reduce sick leave, and manage work. Employment status needs to be considered and interventions should be tailored to match the individual needs.Keywords: chronic pain, work interventions, rehabilitation
