LOW-BACK-PAIN - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OUTCOME IN A CASE SERIES

Studies are needed to enhance our understanding of functional outcomes . The purpose of this paper is to describe a community clinic program for injured workers with low back pain and to report outcomes of the f irst 50 consecutive patients to enter the program who were evaluated u sing a standardized assessment procedure. Data for this report were co llected from a retrospective chart review as part of an evaluation of the program. The patients referred to the clinic entered a 4-week trea tment program. They were assessed at entry and discharge using the Tor onto-Hamilton Lumbar Database. The database assessment is a standardiz ed evaluation for documenting subjective and objective clinical data, and the protocol includes a diagnostic classification system and pain and function ratings. The results of this investigation include a stat istically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in pain and increase in func tion as measured by the Jan van Breemen pain and disability scales and the Sickness Impact Profile. Seventy-four percent of the treatment gr oup had returned to work by 6 weeks postdischarge from the program. Th is study suggests that a significant improvement in functional capabil ities, a decrease in pain and disability indices, and higher return-to -work rates can be achieved through a 4-week, community-based multipro fessional rehabilitation program.