Presentation Title
What are the Predictors for Return to Work for People With Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Conditions?
Abstract
Problem statement: Conditions affecting the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand can cause debilitating pain and loss of function in the working population. While there is much known about the treatment options for conditions affecting this region of the body, little is known about the predictive factors for return to work in this population.
Methods: A systematic literature search was executed to collect studies that assessed prognostic factors of ‘return to work’ for individuals with elbow, wrist, and hand conditions. Five databases: CINAHL, Cochrane, OVID Medline, PsychINFO, and Web of Science were utilized.
Results: We assessed seventeen articles after the screening process. Among these studies, eight categories of predictive factors were identified: demographics, injury, treatment, work, physical, psychological, self-reported outcome measures, and pain. Statistically significant negative predictive factors found in the studies included older age, type of work, blaming oneself for the injury, high Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and low physical function scores on the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Positive predictive factors identified for return to work included relatively young age, availability of modified work, and low DASH score.
Conclusion: The intention of this systematic literature review is to create a synthesis of recommendations aiming to change the behavior of clinicians. With known predictive factors, clinicians can make more informed decisions on return to work timeframes, address and change modifiable variables, and provide important patient education based on the non-modifiable factors.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Reuben Escorpizo
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Nancy Bianchi (Librarian), Reuben Escorpizo (Faculty Research Advisor)
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Program/Major
Physical Therapy
Primary Research Category
Health Sciences
What are the Predictors for Return to Work for People With Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Conditions?
Problem statement: Conditions affecting the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand can cause debilitating pain and loss of function in the working population. While there is much known about the treatment options for conditions affecting this region of the body, little is known about the predictive factors for return to work in this population.
Methods: A systematic literature search was executed to collect studies that assessed prognostic factors of ‘return to work’ for individuals with elbow, wrist, and hand conditions. Five databases: CINAHL, Cochrane, OVID Medline, PsychINFO, and Web of Science were utilized.
Results: We assessed seventeen articles after the screening process. Among these studies, eight categories of predictive factors were identified: demographics, injury, treatment, work, physical, psychological, self-reported outcome measures, and pain. Statistically significant negative predictive factors found in the studies included older age, type of work, blaming oneself for the injury, high Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and low physical function scores on the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Positive predictive factors identified for return to work included relatively young age, availability of modified work, and low DASH score.
Conclusion: The intention of this systematic literature review is to create a synthesis of recommendations aiming to change the behavior of clinicians. With known predictive factors, clinicians can make more informed decisions on return to work timeframes, address and change modifiable variables, and provide important patient education based on the non-modifiable factors.