Psychosocial factors can impede workers’ lower-back recovery: WCRI

March 6, 2024

BOSTON – Psychosocial factors can hamper recovery from lower-back pain and be a stronger cost driver than some catastrophic injuries, analysts with the Workers Compensation Research Institute said Tuesday.

These risk factors, which include fear of pain due to activity, negative coping, job dissatisfaction, perceived injustice and stressful work, as well as family and support system issues, can negatively affect recovery time for workers comp claimants dealing with lower back injuries, researchers said during a panel discussion at the 2024 WCRI Issues & Research Conference.

Researchers found a strong association between psychosocial risk factors and a longer duration of functional recovery after physical therapy care.

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