Journal of occupational rehabilitation
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Objectives Previous research has shown that sensitivity to movement-evoked pain is associated with higher scores on self-report measures of disability in individuals who have sustained whiplash injuries. However, it remains unclear whether sensitivity to movement-evoked pain is associated with work-disability. The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between sensitivity to movement-evoked pain and occupational status in individuals receiving treatment for whiplash injury. ⋯ Results Hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that the measures of multisite pain and sensitivity to movement-evoked pain made significant independent contributions to the prediction of work-disability. Discussion The findings suggest that including measures of multisite pain and sensitivity to movement evoked pain in assessment protocols has the potential to increase the value of pain assessments for the prediction of occupational disability associated with whiplash injury. Clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are addressed.
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Purpose This review aims to map the scope of published research on occupational therapy (OT) interventions and pertinent work and work-related outcomes for persons with occupational injuries and diseases. Methods The scoping review adapted Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Six electronic databases were searched. ⋯ Conclusion The trend in interventions show the use of activities and environment facilitators which are attuned to the conceptual nature of OT. Furthermore, the trend in outcomes show that there is substantial evidence that supports the use of OT to target work. This review may provide a platform for collaboration with other professionals and also help identify research directions to strengthen the evidence base for OT in work-related practice.
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Purpose Work transitions among breast cancer survivors remain an underexplored area. We aimed to examine prevalence and determinants of changes in work status, and the effect of these changes on quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Methods A cross-sectional study of 410 female breast cancer survivors randomly drawn from a larger study sample pool (n = 2644), members of "Leumit" healthcare fund, who were diagnosed with primary nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer in the years 2002-2012. ⋯ In multivariable analyses, work transition between diagnosis and time of the survey was positively associated with being immigrant compared to native-born Israeli (odds ratio (OR) 4.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-11.37; P = .001), and inversely with education level of college or over compared to high school or less (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.09-0.86; P = .026). Conclusions Breast cancer survivors with characteristics pointing at underprivileged social circumstances more often experienced changes in work status after surviving breast cancer, irrespective of diagnosis, comorbidity or treatment. Breast cancer patients with immigrant status and/or lower educational attainment need more support to be able to keep their job.
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Purpose Functional restoration programs (FRPs), for patients with chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders (CDOMDs), have consistently demonstrated positive socioeconomic treatment outcomes, including decreased psychosocial distress and increased work return. The pre-treatment length of disability (LOD), or time between injury and treatment admission, has been shown to influence FRP work outcomes. Some studies have found that shorter LOD is associated with better work outcomes. ⋯ Furthermore, long LOD was a significant predictor for work outcomes at 1 year following FRP discharge. Nevertheless, a large percentage of longer LOD (>24 months) patients had returned to work within the year after discharge (above 85%), and had retained at least part-time work 1-year later (above 66%). These results support the effectiveness of the FRP in mitigating the effects of extended LOD in a large percentage of long-term LOD patients.