Affiliations: School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City,
Canada | Center for Interdisciplinary Research in
Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Quebec City, Canada | Department of Industrial Relations, Laval University,
Quebec City, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Manon Truchon, Ph.D., Department of
Industrial Relations, Laval University, Quebec (PQ), Canada G1K 7P4. Tel.: +1
418 656 2131 #2752; Fax: +1 418 656 7688; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Low back pain is a costly and incapacitating musculoskeletal
disorder. Prospective studies documenting the capacity of work-related factors
to predict chronicity are few in number, the methodology used is very
diversified, and the results obtained diverge. The aim of the present study is
to investigate the capacity of work-related objective (non-psychosocial) and
psychosocial factors to predict chronic disability related to low back pain. A
longitudinal prospective study with two measurement times was carried out. The
sample (N=258) consisted of workers with subacute low back pain who were on
sick leave and receiving compensation from the CSST (Quebec Workers'
Compensation Board). Of all the work-related variables measured, perceived
stress and fears and beliefs about work were associated with return to work
status at the six-month follow-up. The results obtained show the importance of
considering fears and beliefs about work when identifying people in the
subacute phase of low back pain who are at risk of developing chronic
disability.
Keywords: Chronic disability, low back pain, work-related factors, longitudinal prospective study
