Multidisciplinary interventions: Review of studies of return to work after rehabilitation for low back pain

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of multidisciplinary interventions on return to work for people on sick leave due to low back pain. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies was performed, including a meta-analysis. Identified publications were assessed for relevance and study quality. RESULTS: A meta-analysis based on 5 studies from Scandinavia verified the scientific evidence for the efficacy of multidisciplinary interventions on return to work. CONCLUSION: Although long-term sick leave due to low back pain represents a large problem for the community and multidisciplinary interventions are often advocated, surprisingly few published studies have return to work as an outcome. There is evidence for a clinically relevant effect of multidisciplinary interventions on return to work.