Abstract
Sweden has seen a sharp increase in sick-listing recently. A new rehabilitation programme was tested for patients with musculoskeletal pain applying the experiences from sports injury rehabilitation. In this programme, the danger of inactivity was emphasised, and the staff accepted that the process of restoring physical fitness may be accompanied by a temporary increase in pain. During an 11 month period, 101 patients began a 4-week rehabilitation programme. This programme was in action 5 days a week from 9AM to 4PM. Six patients broke off the programme. The remainder were called back for a follow-up 6 months later, a total of 83 patients attending. This follow-up showed that only 22% benefit. Significantly more men than women returned to work. After rehabilitation the patients perceived better health and their living habits normalized. In patients sick-listed for long periods, an intensive period of exercise based largely on sports medicine can lead to return-to-work, also in Sweden.