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Outcome evaluation of work hardening program for manual workers with work-related back injury.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 12-week work hardening program designed for back injured workers.


STUDY DESIGN
In this study, 32 subjects were recruited. Pre- and post-assessment results were used to measure the program effectiveness. The intensity of the work hardening program was based on the overloading training principle. Subjects were contacted by phone three months after the program completion for their work status.


RESULT
The findings of this study suggested that there was a significant difference in the subjects' physical demand characteristic level before and after the work hardening program. Seventy-five percent of the subjects who completed the work hardening program were able to resume employment.


CONCLUSION
The rate of returning to work for back injured workers in this study was comparable to that of other studies. Thus, this study suggests that the overloading principle should be used in designing a work hardening program to improve clients' physical function.