April/May 2009 (vol. 05/6)

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Research Plus

Low-back pain and recovery expectation

A systematic review of non-specific low-back pain concludes that recovery expectations, measured in the early (non-chronic) stages of pain onset, and with regard to a specific time frame and defined outcome, are good predictors of poor outcome. For example, in predicting when they might return to work, individuals will take account of the tasks involved in their job and are able to predict relatively accurately when they will be able to do them. However, expectations of non-specific risks, such as developing future chronic pain or non-recovery, are poor indicators. Expectations measured within the first three weeks of pain are more strongly predictive than those measured later.

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2009; 19(1): 25–40. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10926-009-9164-5

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Occupational Health at Work April/May 2009 (vol. 05/6) pp45