Cardiopulmonary capacity and psychological factors are related to return to work in orthopedic rehabilitation patients. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rinn, Robin; Gan, Yiqun; Whittal, Amanda; Lippke, Sonia
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 26:Number 13(2021)
• Page Start: 2505
• Page End: 2519
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: oxygen reabsorption -- physical activity -- return to work -- self-efficacy -- social support; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105320913946
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Health psychology sheds light on the process of returning to work after sick leave and subsequent medical rehabilitation. A 15-month longitudinal study with N = 201 orthopedic rehabilitation patients is reported. It examined whether and how both physiological health (e.g. body mass index and oxygen reabsorption) and psychological/social-cognitive factors (e.g. self-efficacy and social support) are related to returning to work. It was found that social-cognitive and physiological variables, such as oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold, are important for returning to work. While physical activity was significantly correlated with social-cognitive variables, it was not significantly correlated directly with returning to work. Results suggest that self-efficacy and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold should be improved during medical rehabilitation.