A CONTROLLED-STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF AN EARLY INTERVENTION ON ACUTE MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN PROBLEMS

Current conceptions of chronic pain clearly suggest that proper care a t the acute stage should prevent the development of chronic problems. Patients (198) seeking help for acute musculoskeletal pain (MSP), e.g. , back and neck pain participated in two studies of the effects of an Early Active intervention which underscored 'well' behavior and functi on compared to a Treatment as Usual control group. The quantity of the Early Active treatment was a median of 1 doctor's appointment and 3 m eetings with a physical therapist. Study I concerned patients with a p rior history of sick-listing for MSP, while study II involved patients with no prior history of MSP. Treatment satisfaction, pain experience , activities and sickness absenteeism were assessed before, after and at a 12-month follow-up. In study I (patients with a history of MSP), the results showed significant improvements for both groups, but virtu ally no differences between the groups. Similarly, in study II (no his tory of MSP) both groups demonstrated significant improvements, e.g., for pain intensity and activity levels. However, the Early Active trea tment resulted in significantly less sick-listing relative to the cont rol group. Moreover, the risk of developing chronic (> 200 sick days) pain was 8 times lower for the Early Activation group. This investigat ion shows that relatively simple changes in treatment result in reduce d sickness absenteeism for 'first-time' sufferers only. Consequently, the content and timing of treatment for pain appear to be crucial. Pro perly administered early intervention may therefore decrease sick leav e and prevent chronic problems, thus saving considerable resources.