Number of physiotherapy sessions in work-related absenteeism due to musculoskeletal disorders, by gender, age and occupation. A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

Background: The number of physiotherapy sessions needed to treat musculoskeletal conditions varies in the literature; age and gender may partly explain the discordant reports. However, no research has analysed whether occupation may influence this outcome in the working population.

Objectives: To assess the number of physiotherapy sessions performed for low back pain (LBP), cervicalgia (CG), and whiplash syndrome (WS) in workers on sickness absence, according to gender, age, and occupation.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the outcome variable was the number of physiotherapy sessions needed to recover from LBP, CG, and WS. Explanatory variables were sex, age, occupation, year when physiotherapy ended, and treatment centre. The adjusted median differences in the number of sessions (MDa) were calculated.

Results: Older workers (55-65 years) needed a median of 2.6 additional sessions for LBP, 3.0 more sessions for CG, and 3.6 for WS. Men underwent fewer sessions than women (LBP and CG: MDa -0.9 sessions; WS: MDa -1.7 sessions). Compared to crafts and related trades workers, plant and machine operators and assemblers required more sessions to recover from LBP (MDa 0.7), as did service and sales workers (MDa 0.7). In CG and WS, differences were observed for technicians and associate professionals (MDa 1.3 and MDa 1.7, respectively), and for professionals (MDa 2.4 and MDa 1.6). Clerical support workers also needed significantly more sessions for CG.

Conclusions: The number of sessions required to recover from LBP, CG, and WS in workers on work-related sickness absence is different according to gender, age, and occupation.