ABSTRACT

Objective : This study was performed to examine the effects of a work-hardening program on workers who returned to their jobs after medical treatment for work-related low back pain. Methods : This study was conducted in a domestic car manufacturing company from August through November, 2005, and all participants returned to their jobs after over 6 months of medical treatment for work-related low back pain. Experimental (N=18) and control groups (N=20) were selected for the study. For the experimental group, an individualized education and exercise program built on a fear-avoidance beliefs model was provided for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for approximately eight weeks. For the control group, workers who returned to their normal jobs through a long adaptation period after returning to work were selected. The characteristics of the two groups were compared by the scores of fear-avoidance beliefs, disability of activities of daily living, pain intensity, depression, and the safe maximum weights in pre- and post-tests. Results : Statistically significant decreases in the scores of fear-avoidance work beliefs (FABQ1-work), disability of activities of daily living due to low back pain (RDQ), pain intensity (VAS), and depression (K-BDI), and the safe maximum weights assessed at three different heights were found after intervention in the experimental group (p＜.05). The mean working period after returning to work in the experimental group was 6.1 (±3.2) months, while that of the control group was 22.4 (±14.9) months, which were statistically and significantly different (p＜.05). The results showed that, in adapting to their job, the functional status of the experimental group improved up to the level of the control group in about 8 weeks. Conclusion : This study confirmed that an individualized work-hardening program in the workplace is an effective means for improving workers' functional capacity and for decreasing the duration of a period of adaptation to work. We expect that in the future, the study of work-hardening programs to support an early return of workers with low back pain will be vitalized.