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Cost-effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment in sick-listed patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized, controlled trial with one-year follow-up

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a return-to-work outpatient multidisciplinary treatment programme for sick-listed workers with non-specific upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up was carried out. Thirty-eight subjects were allocated to multidisciplinary treatment (intervention, n=23), or to usual care provided by occupational health services (n=15). The intervention consisted of psychological and physical sessions provided by a medical specialist, a psychologist, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. It aims at reconditioning, “de-medicalizing”, unrestrained moving and return-to-work. The intervention process was evaluated on compliance to the protocol and the effectiveness of its components. The individual outcome variable was the severity of complaints. The societal outcomes included return-to-work and costs. Measurements were performed at baseline and after 2, 6 and 12 months. Mixed model analyses were used for analysis. Results: The intervention achieves its aims: physical disabilities (P=0.039), kinesiophobia (P<0.001) and physical functioning (P=0.016) improved significantly as compared to usual care. In addition, the intervention was significantly more effective in reducing the severity of complaints than usual care. The intervention was equally effective compared to usual care in terms of return-to-work (86% in the intervention group vs. 73% in the usual care group). The extra total costs and the extra gains in terms of return-to-work were not significantly higher for the intervention as compared to usual care after 12 months. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary treatment affects individuals positively, but shows no significant difference in (cost-) effectiveness on the societal level as compared to usual care.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZONMw) and a supplementary grant from the UWV. We would like to thank all participating occupational health services, physicians and Winnock employees for their efforts. Special thanks go to Clasien Schakenraad and Lex Vendrig for their support in discovering and explaining the Winnock program, and for their help in organizing this study. This research project would have been impossible without the invaluable contributions of all these individuals.

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Correspondence to Eline M. Meijer.

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Meijer, E.M., Sluiter, J.K., Heyma, A. et al. Cost-effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment in sick-listed patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized, controlled trial with one-year follow-up. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79, 654–664 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-006-0098-3

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