"Work modification is considered as an essential element in enhancing return to work (RTW) among persons with musculoskeletal problems although systematic reviews have called for more studies and pointed out that the net gain in sickness absence days has been only modest and economic effects uncertain. Loisel and his co-workers showed for the first time that an occupational intervention – and especially an occupational intervention combined with a clinical intervention – was associated with a faster RTW compared with clinical intervention alone or usual care. The developed Sherbrooke model has been tested with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the Netherlands. Workers sick-listed for 2–6 weeks due to low-back pain (LBP) were first randomized into a workplace intervention or usual care, and those who had not returned to work by 8 weeks were further randomized to graded activity or usual care. ..."

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