Recovering work productivity in a population with chronic musculoskeletal pain: unveiling the value and cost-savings of a digital care program.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate potential savings obtained from restoring productivity in employees with chronic MSK pain through a digital care program (DCP).

METHODS: Secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study assessing cumulative savings overall or across several industry sectors by analyzing changes in Work productivity and activities impairment (WPAI questionnaire).

RESULTS: Employees from 50 U.S. states started the program (N = 5032). Significant improvements in productivity impairment were observed across all industries, yielding median cumulative savings from $151 (95%CI 128;174) to $294 (95%CI 286;303) per participant at treatment-end. Twelve-months projections estimated median savings of $2916 (95%CI 2861;2972). Additionally, significant improvements in non-work-related daily activities were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the burden of MSK-related productivity loss on employers' financial balance, illustrating the importance of a DCP to assist patients to recover quality of life and succeed professionally.