Expectations for Return to Work Predict Return to Work in Workers with Low Back Pain: An Individual Participant Data (IPD) Meta-Analysis.

Purpose Low back pain is associated with disability and lost productivity due to inability of workers to return to work. Personal recovery expectation beliefs may be associated with return to work outcomes in those with low back pain at high risk for chronic disability. We aimed to (1) assess whether workers' expectations for return to work, following a low back pain episode, are associated with subsequent return to work; and (2) explore the relationships between return to work expectations and other prognostic factors in their association with work outcomes.

Machine Learning for Work Disability Prevention: Introduction to the Special Series.

Rapid development in computer technology has led to sophisticated methods of analyzing large datasets with the aim of improving human decision making. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML) approaches hold tremendous potential for solving complex real-world problems such as those faced by stakeholders attempting to prevent work disability. These techniques are especially appealing in work disability contexts that collect large amounts of data such as workers' compensation settings, insurance companies, large corporations, and health care organizations, among others.

Validity of the Work Assessment Triage Tool for Selecting Rehabilitation Interventions for Workers' Compensation Claimants with Musculoskeletal Conditions.

Purpose The Work Assessment Triage Tool (WATT) is a clinical decision support tool developed using machine learning to help select interventions for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The WATT categorizes patients based on individual characteristics according to likelihood of successful return to work following rehabilitation. A previous validation showed acceptable classification accuracy, but we re-examined accuracy using a new dataset drawn from the same system 2 years later.

Larger Workplaces, People-Oriented Culture, and Specific Industry Sectors Are Associated with Co-Occurring Health Protection and Wellness Activities.

Employers are increasingly interested in offering workplace wellness programs in addition to occupational health and safety (OHS) activities to promote worker health, wellbeing, and productivity. Yet, there is a dearth of research on workplace factors that enable the implementation of OHS and wellness to inform the future integration of these activities in Canadian workplaces. This study explored workplace demographic factors associated with the co-implementation of OHS and wellness activities in a heterogenous sample of Canadian workplaces.

Sickness absence among municipal workers in a Brazilian municipality: a secondary data analysis.

Background: Sickness absence, work disability associated with illness or injury, is a major public health problem worldwide. Some studies have investigated determinants of sickness absence among workers with shorter job tenure, but have only focused on certain diagnostic groups. Although it is well established that job tenure has an inverse relationship with work injury rate, less is known about its association with sickness absence for other disorders.

Developing leading indicators from OHS management audit data: Determining the measurement properties of audit data from the field.

Introduction: OHS management audits are one means of obtaining data that may serve as leading indicators. The measurement properties of such data are therefore important. This study used data from Workwell audit program in Ontario, a Canadian province.

Predictive value of the DASH tool for predicting return to work of injured workers with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity.

Objectives: To determine whether the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) tool added to the predictive ability of established prognostic factors, including patient demographic and clinical outcomes, to predict return to work (RTW) in injured workers with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders of the upper extremity.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using a population-based database from the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB-Alberta) that focused on claimants with upper extremity injuries was used. Besides the DASH, potential predictors included demographic, occupational, clinical and health usage variables.

Clinical Decision Support Tools for Selecting Interventions for Patients with Disabling Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review.

Purpose We aimed to identify and inventory clinical decision support (CDS) tools for helping front-line staff select interventions for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Methods We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework which progresses through five stages: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting studies for analysis; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarizing and reporting results. We considered computer-based, and other available tools, such as algorithms, care pathways, rules and models.

The Added Value of Collecting Information on Pain Experience When Predicting Time on Benefits for Injured Workers with Back Pain.

Objectives Some injured workers with work-related, compensated back pain experience a troubling course in return to work. A prediction tool was developed in an earlier study, using administrative data only. This study explored the added value of worker reported data in identifying those workers with back pain at higher risk of being on benefits for a longer period of time.

Predicting time on prolonged benefits for injured workers with acute back pain.

Introduction: Some workers with work-related compensated back pain (BP) experience a troubling course of disability. Factors associated with delayed recovery among workers with work-related compensated BP were explored.

Methods: This is a cohort study of workers with compensated BP in 2005 in Ontario, Canada.

An efficient strategy allowed English-speaking reviewers to identify foreign-language articles eligible for a systematic review.

Objective: To assess English-speaking reviewers' accuracy in determining the eligibility of foreign-language articles for a systematic review.

Study Design And Settings: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of therapy for fibromyalgia. Guided by 10 questions, English-speaking reviewers screened non-English-language articles for eligibility.

Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication is one of the most commonly diagnosed and treated pathological spinal conditions. It frequently afflicts the elderly population.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.

The pain recovery inventory of concerns and expectations: a psychosocial screening instrument to identify intervention needs among patients at elevated risk of back disability.

Objective: To reduce a full psychosocial test battery to a brief screening questionnaire to triage return-to-work strategies among patients with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: Workers (N = 496) with acute, work-related LBP completed multiple psychosocial measures at intake, then a 3-month follow-up of pain, function, and work status. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to reduce the number of items while maintaining scale reliability, preserving associations with outcomes, and maintaining separation between patient subgroups.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of interventions for fibromyalgia: a protocol.

Background: Fibromyalgia is associated with substantial socioeconomic loss and, despite considerable research including numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, there exists uncertainty regarding what treatments are effective. No review has evaluated all interventional studies for fibromyalgia, which limits attempts to make inferences regarding the relative effectiveness of treatments.

Methods/design: We will conduct a network meta-analysis of all RCTs evaluating therapies for fibromyalgia to determine which therapies show evidence of effectiveness, and the relative effectiveness of these treatments.

A pilot randomised control trial of the effectiveness of a biofeedback mouse in reducing self-reported pain among office workers.

Unlabelled: A pilot study examined the effectiveness of a biofeedback mouse in reducing upper extremity pain and discomfort in office workers; in addition, relative mouse use (RMU), satisfaction and the feasibility of running a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in a workplace setting were evaluated. The mouse would gently vibrate if the hand was idle for more than 12 s. The feedback reminded users to rest the arm in neutral, supported postures.

Distressed, immobilized, or lacking employer support? A sub-classification of acute work-related low back pain.

Introduction: One possibility for reducing the disabling effects of low back pain (LBP) is to identify subgroups of patients who might benefit from different disability prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to test the ability to discern meaningful patient clusters for early intervention based on self-reported concerns and expectations at the time of an initial medical evaluation.

Methods: Workers seeking an initial evaluation for acute, work-related LBP (N = 496; 58 % male) completed self-report measures comprising of 11 possible risk factors for chronicity of pain and disability.

Nonoperative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication.

Summary Of Background Data: Neurogenic claudication can significantly impact functional ability, quality of life, and independence in the elderly.

Incidence of work and non-work related disability claims in Brazil.

Background: Sickness benefit claims are an important economic burden to society. This study aims to determine the incidence of sickness benefit claims in Brazil in 2008, exploring the role of economic activity.

Methods: Population-based study on sickness claims lasting longer than 15 days of sickness absence granted to private sector employees.

Validation of a risk factor-based intervention strategy model using data from the readiness for return to work cohort study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and in some cases disabling condition. Until recently, workers presenting with non-specific LBP have generally been regarded as a homogeneous population. If this population is not homogeneous, different interventions might be appropriate for different subgroups.

What works best for whom? An exploratory, subgroup analysis in a randomized, controlled trial on the effectiveness of a workplace intervention in low back pain patients on return to work.

Study Design: Exploratory subgroup analysis in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Objective: To detect possible moderators in the effectiveness of a workplace intervention in a population of workers with sick leave due to sub acute nonspecific low back pain.

Summary Of Background Data: In a recently published RCT, a workplace intervention was effective on return to work, compared to usual care.

The eye-complaint questionnaire in a visual display unit work environment: internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of a 10-item eye-complaint questionnaire (ECQ) were examined within a sample of office workers. Repeated within-subjects measures were performed within a single day and over intervals of 1 and 7 d. Questionnaires were completed by 96 workers (70% female, mean age 36.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for subacute low back pain: graded activity or workplace intervention or both? A randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Population-based randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of workplace intervention and graded activity, separately and combined, for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP).

Summary Of Background Data: Effective components for multidisciplinary rehabilitation of LBP are not yet established.

Economic evaluation of a multi-stage return to work program for workers on sick-leave due to low back pain.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a return to work (RTW) program for workers on sick-leave due to low back pain (LBP), comparing a workplace intervention implemented between 2 to 8 weeks of sick-leave with usual care, and a clinical intervention after 8 weeks of sick-leave with usual care.

Design: Economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Study Population: Workers sick-listed for a period of 2 to 6 weeks due to LBP.

Changes in the incidence of occupational disability as a result of back and neck pain in the Netherlands.

Background: Back pain (including neck pain) is one of the most prevalent health problems for which physicians are consulted. Back pain can decrease the quality of life considerably during a great part of the lives of those who suffer from it. At the same time it has an enormous economic impact, mainly through sickness absence and long-term disability.