Lene Aasdahl, Sigmund Østgård Gismervik, Gunn Hege Marchand, Ottar Vasseljen, Roar Johnsen, Marius Steiro Fimland
Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: lene.aasdahl@ntnu.no
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2520

Objectives: To assess: (i) whether changes in the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) were greater for multicomponent inpatient rehabilitation vs outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy, and (ii) whether baseline scores and changes (pre- to post-intervention) in FABQ were associated with future work-participation.
Methods: Individuals sick-listed for 2–12 months were randomized to inpatient multicomponent rehabilitation (3. 5 weeks or 4+4 days) or outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy (6 sessions/6 weeks).
Results: A total of 334 subjects were included. There were no significant differences on FABQ between the in- and out-patient programmes during follow-up. Participants with consistently low scores on the work subscale had more work-participation days, followed by those who reduced their scores. Participants who increased, or had consistently high scores had the least workdays. For the physical activity subscale, the associations were weaker. FABQ-work scores at baseline were associated with number of work-participation days for both musculoskeletal and psychological diagnoses, and more strongly for the latter group.
Conclusion: This study suggests that FABQ could be a useful prognostic tool for individuals on sick leave due to musculoskeletal or psychological disorders. There was no evidence that inpatient occupational rehabilitation reduces FABQ scores more than outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy.

Psychological factors are important in sick-listed workers’ return to work process. The fear-avoidance model suggests that negative beliefs about pain and its consequences may lead to catastrophizing thoughts and avoidance of activities believed to be harmful or to worsen the pain. This study evaluated whether the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), was associated with future work outcomes for sick-listed workers in occupational rehabilitation. FABQ is traditionally used for individuals with low-back pain, but this study also used it for individuals with common mental health disorders. The results suggest that the FABQ could be a useful prognostic tool for individuals on sick leave due to both musculoskeletal and psychological disorders.