Review shows back-to-work interventions help for back pain, but authors demand more research into mental health and cardio-respiratory problems

Abstract

Purpose

An academic review assessed the evidence for various interventions in helping people with disabilities and health conditions return to work.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors sifted through academic research, searching for answers to the following two questions: 1. “What is the available evidence on effective interventions in terms of employment outcomes and cost effectiveness?” 2. “Are there gaps in evidence with regard to the effectiveness of interventions for certain conditions?”

Findings

There is some evidence that interventions for workers with disabilities and health conditions can produce better outcomes at work, but there are huge gaps in the research data. Most studies focus on lower back pain and more research is needed into cardio-respiratory conditions and mental health. There is also a lack of research into the cost-effectiveness of various interventions.

Originality/value

This study highlights not only the effectiveness of some approaches but also the gaps in the research which need to be plugged to better inform policies.

Citation

(2019), "Review shows back-to-work interventions help for back pain, but authors demand more research into mental health and cardio-respiratory problems", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 27 No. 4, pp. 4-6. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-03-2019-0085