ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2010
Low back pain patients' experiences of work modifications; a qualitative study.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 43 citations in OpenAlex.
- Patients' Needs Regarding Work-Focused Healthcare: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2025Pooled it
- Patients' experiences of chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain: a qualitative systematic review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2013Pooled it
- Evaluating the Impact on Pain Perceptions, Pain Intensity, and Physical Activity of a Mobile App to Empower Employees With Musculoskeletal Pain: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
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- Article
- How do Employees with Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders Experience the Management of Their Condition in the Workplace? A Metasynthesis.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2023Review
- Qualitative Evidence from Studies of Interventions Aimed at Return to Work and Staying at Work for Persons with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Review
- Obstacles to returning to work with chronic pain: in-depth interviews with people who are off work due to chronic pain and employers.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2019Article
- Adaptation of a Guide to Equip Employers to Manage the Gradual Return to Work of Individuals with a Musculoskeletal Disorder.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2019Article
- The work of return to work. Challenges of returning to work when you have chronic pain: a meta-ethnography.BMJ open · 2019Review
- Image and perception of physicians as barriers to inter-disciplinary cooperation? - the example of German occupational health physicians in the rehabilitation process: a qualitative study.BMC health services research · 2018Article
- Supervisor and Organizational Factors Associated with Supervisor Support of Job Accommodations for Low Back Injured Workers.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2017Article
- Advantages of the JobReha discharge letter: an instrument for improving the communication interface in occupational rehabilitation.International archives of occupational and environmental health · 2013Article
- Evaluation of self-reported work ability and usefulness of interventions among sick-listed patients.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2013Article
- Management of pain induced by exercise and mobilization during physical therapy programs: views of patients and care providers.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2011Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundResearch indicates that work modifications can reduce sickness absence and work disability due to low back pain. However, there are few studies that have described modified work from the perspective of patients. A greater understanding of their experiences may inform future workplace management of employees with this condition.
methodsIndividual semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-five employed patients who had been referred for back pain rehabilitation. All had expressed concern about their ability to work due to low back pain. Data was analysed thematically.
resultsMany participants had made their own work modifications, which were guided by the extent of control they had over their hours and duties, colleague support, and their own beliefs and attitudes about working with back pain. A minority of the participants had received advice or support with work modifications through occupational health. Access to these services was limited and usually followed lengthy sickness absence. Implementation largely rested with the manager and over-cautious approaches were common.
conclusionsThere was little evidence of compliance with occupational health guidance on modified work. There appears to be insufficient expertise among managers and occupational health in modifying work for employees with low back pain and little indication of joint planning. On the whole, workers make their own modifications, or arrange them informally with their manager and colleagues, but remain concerned about working with back pain. More effective and appropriate application of modifications may increase employees' confidence in their ability to work.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.