Relationship between the margin of manoeuvre and the return to work after a long-term absence due to a musculoskeletal disorder: an exploratory study

Abstract

Purpose. The application of the margin of manoeuvre (MM) concept in work rehabilitation is new. It allows for variations in both health status and work demands, and the interaction between the two, to be taken into account. The objective of this exploratory study was to document the relationship between the presence of an MM in the workplace and the return to work (RTW), after a long-term absence.

Methods. This study used the data collected during an earlier study that sought to identify the dimensions and indicators of the MM. The data were analysed on three levels, and the convergences and divergences in the MM indicators and dimensions in relation to the RTW were grouped accordingly.

Results. Eleven workers and five clinicians participated in this study. The results support the proposition that the presence of a sufficient MM in the workplace is associated with RTW of individuals at the end of a rehabilitation programme despite a long-term absence (n  ==  6), and conversely, that its absence would appear to be associated with a non-return to work (n  ==  4).

Conclusions. A better understanding of this concept will help further the development of a tool to assist clinicians in their task of assessing a worker's capacity to return to a given job.

Keywords:

• Return to work
• musculoskeletal disorders
• margin of manoeuvre
• ergonomics

Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank the clinicians and workers for their participation in this project.

Declaration of interest: This project was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST).