Evaluation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders: a 5-year follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a 5-year follow-up of a 7-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program focusing on pain, physical disability, anxiety and depression as well as stress and sick leave and to compare the results from the baseline, a 2-year follow-up and this 5-year follow-up.

Participants: Out of 60 participants of the original rehabilitation program 54 were followed-up after 5 years.

Methods: The rehabilitation program was individually adapted and consisted of physical activity in several forms as well as theoretical and practical education. At baseline (start of study) and 2 and 5 years after completion of the rehabilitation program all participants were evaluated in terms of sick leave, pain rating (Visual Analogue Scale), the Disability Rating Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Stress Test.

Results: Between the start of the program and the 5-year follow-up pain rating (P< 0.017) and the rate of full-time sick leave (P< 0.0005) decreased. Physical disability, anxiety, depression and stress were maintained from the 2-year follow-up until the 5-year follow-up.

Conclusions: The rehabilitation program seemed to have had an effect on the participant's ability to manage with symptoms long after the end of the rehabilitation program. Most participants had returned to work, and reported less pain. The improvements made in physical disability and mental health prior to the 2-year follow-up were maintained at the 5-year follow-up occasion.