A comparison of self-perceived physical and psycho-social worker
profiles of people with direct work injury, chronic low back pain, and
cumulative trauma
Issue title: Work Rehabilitation in Hong Kong: A Recent
Trend
Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Cecilia Li-Tsang W.P., Associate
Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, Hong Kong, China. Tel.: +852 2766 6715; Fax: +852 2330 5124;
E-mail: rscecili@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Abstract: This study investigated the psycho-social factors among injured
workers and the influence of their psycho-social profile on the readiness of
return to work. Sixty-four subjects with injuries on the upper limbs or lower
limbs, low back pain, or cumulative trauma disorder were recruited. The
workers' profiles (self-perceived physical health, mental health, and work
readiness) together with the impact and types of work injury on the workers'
perceived wellness were measured. The regression model of work readiness was
constructed to develop a theoretical background for predicting work readiness
based on different factors. The results showed that injured workers with chronic injury such as
low back pain or cumulative trauma had poorer self-perception of physical
health and psycho-social/mental health compared to those with direct trauma.
The regression analysis further affirmed that self-perceived pain and physical
functioning were significant factors influencing the readiness for returning to
work. Workers with low back pain were found to have lower motivation for
returning to work. Other factors such as the non-verbal intelligence of the
injured workers, their anxiety level, and the support they received from family
members were found to have some indirect impact on their ability to return to
work, but this was not statistically proven.
Keywords: Worker profile, work rehabilitation, direct work injury, low back pain, cumulative trauma
