[Effectiveness of interventions for low-back-pain sufferers: the return to work criterion]. / Efficacité des interventions s'adressant à des sujets lombalgiques, du point de vue du retour au travail.

BACKGROUND: Return to work is considered as a major effectiveness criterion for interventions dedicated to subacute or chronic low-back-pain sufferers. Moreover, return to work, beyond the economic and social Issues, is regarded more and more as having a therapeutic dimension. This review aims to describe the various interventions which are effective in returning patients to work. METHODS: The presentation is based on existing reviews supplemented by a selection of recent studies. RESULTS: "Cognitive-behavioral therapy", "reassurance" and "back exercises" are some suggested approaches. Some of these techniques are geared specifically towards work. Others, such as "back schools" or "multidisciplinary interventions" combine different approaches. CONCLUSION: Promoting return to work at an appropriate stage (subacute stage) could help low-back-pain sufferers to avoid prolonged disability.