Translation and initial cross-cultural adaptation of the tool for support-gradual return-to-work for persons with chronic musculoskeletal pain to the Swedish setting.
Gunilla M Liedberg, Mathilda Björk, Marie-France Coutu and 2 others
PMID 38728197WHAT IT FOUND
Swedish occupational therapists found a Canadian gradual return-to-work instruction guide and planning worksheet relevant and usable for chronic pain, but wanted a shorter guide, clearer language, psychosocial content, and an 11-point discomfort scale.
Key findings
01Occupational therapists rated the Swedish instruction guide and planning worksheet as pertinent, clear, and usable, with average agreement scores above 3.
02Consultations identified Format and Clarity as a new category and led to requests for shorter instructions, clearer wording, and an 11-point discomfort scale.
03Occupational therapists saw the tool as useful for documenting workplace difficulties and for communication between employers and employees, and they suggested broader use beyond chronic pain.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only ten occupational therapists completed the questionnaire and nine attended the group consultations, so the findings reflect a small expert group, not all Swedish occupational therapists. The participants were occupational therapists, not employers, employees, or patients, and the tool was not pre-tested in workplaces. The study did not evaluate content validity because participants had limited knowledge of the Margin of Manoeuvre concept. Group interviews could introduce socially desirable responses, although participants completed individual questionnaires before the discussions. The findings describe suggested revisions and perceived appropriateness, not patient return-to-work outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that the Swedish tool improves return-to-work outcomes. It reports agreement from occupational therapists and suggested adaptations, and the pre-testing step was not performed.