Function-centred Rehabilitation Increases Days at Work in Patients with Non-specific Non-acute Low Back Pain, a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: This study in patients with non-acute non-specific low back pain (LBP) compares the effect of 3 weeks function centred (FCT) and pain centred treatment (PCT) on the number of days at work in the follow-up year. Methods: Randomized controlled trial in 174 workers with LBP and 191 (SD 145) previous days off-work. Patients with positive predictive tests for non-return-to-work (Kool 2002) were excluded. FCT (4 hrs/day) emphasized activity in spite of pain and coping and consisted of work simulation, strength, endurance and cardiovascular training in groups. PCT (2.5 hrs/day) emphasized pain reduction and co…