Effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme on health-related quality of life in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders: a 6-month follow-up of a prospective controlled study

Purpose: The aim of this prospective, controlled, follow-up study (6 months) was to examine the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme on perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with prolonged musculoskeletal disorders (PMSD). The programme focused on body awareness therapy and cognitive and relaxation treatment. Method: The rehabilitation group comprised 122 patients, and there were 114 patients in the matched control group (CG). Both groups of patients had access to primary health care. Baseline data were compared with B-month follow-up data within and between the groups. The following measurements were employed: HRQL (Nottingham Health Profile), body awareness, postural control, pain (VAS), pain-related medicine consumption, isometric arm muscle endurance, aerobic capacity, psychosomatic symptoms, physical and psychosocial working environment and sick leave. Results: Variables that improved significantly as compared with the CG were: HRQL, anxiety, pain related to movements, psychosomatic symptoms and need for pain-related medicines. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme used here improved HRQL in patients with PMSD to a greater extent than the standard treatment provided within primary health care (p = 0.01), at least in the short term.