Affiliations: Strömsund Health Centre, Jämtland County
Council, Strömsund, Sweden | The Research and Development Unit, Jämtland
County Council, Östersund, Sweden | Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University,
Östersund, Sweden | Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform a 5-year follow-up
of a 7-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program focusing on pain, physical
disability, anxiety and depression as well as stress and sick leave and to
compare the results from the baseline, a 2-year follow-up and this 5-year
follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: Out of 60 participants of the original rehabilitation
program 54 were followed-up after 5 years. METHODS: The rehabilitation program was individually adapted and
consisted of physical activity in several forms as well as theoretical and
practical education. At baseline (start of study) and 2 and 5 years after
completion of the rehabilitation program all participants were evaluated in
terms of sick leave, pain rating (Visual Analogue Scale), the Disability Rating
Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Stress Test. RESULTS: Between the start of the program and the 5-year follow-up
pain rating (P< 0.017) and the rate of full-time sick leave (P< 0.0005)
decreased. Physical disability, anxiety, depression and stress were maintained
from the 2-year follow-up until the 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation program seemed to have had an effect
on the participant's ability to manage with symptoms long after the end of the
rehabilitation program. Most participants had returned to work, and reported
less pain. The improvements made in physical disability and mental health prior
to the 2-year follow-up were maintained at the 5-year follow-up occasion.
