EFFECTS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH PROLONGED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS - A 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP OF A PROSPECTIVE CONTROLLED-STUDY

Purpose: The aim of this prospective, controlled, follow-up study (6 m onths) was to examine the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitatio n programme on perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL) in pati ents with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders (PMSD). The programme fo cused on body awareness therapy and cognitive and relaxation treatment . Method: The rehabilitation group comprised 122 patients, and there w ere 114 patients in the matched control group (CG). Both groups of pat ients had access to primary health care. Baseline data were compared w ith B-month follow-up data within and between the groups. The followin g measurements were employed: HRQL (Nottingham Health Profile), body a wareness, postural control, pain (VAS), pain-related medicine consumpt ion, isometric arm muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, psychosomatic s ymptoms, physical and psychosocial working environment and sick leave. Results: Variables that improved significantly as compared with the C G were: HRQL, anxiety, pain related to movements, psychosomatic sympto ms and need for pain-related medicines. Conclusions: The multidiscipli nary rehabilitation programme used here improved HRQL in patients with PMSD to a greater extent than the standard treatment provided within primary health care (p = 0.01), at least in the short term.