OBJECTIVE: Assess the benefits of associating kinesiotherapeutic treatment to group dynamics in a more integrative approach for the health-illness process of recovering and rehabilitating RSI/WRMD patients, regarding their functionality and return to work. METHOD: In 2008, 24 RSI/WRMD patients were randomly distributed for individual and group interventions. The kinesiotherapeutic protocol was the same for both interventions and took 10 sessions. After the exercises, psychosocial aspects considered important to the treatment of RSI/WRMD patients were addressed individually and in groups. The impact of the interventions on patients' clinical condition and on their quality of life was evaluated by using DASH Questionnaire for patients' functionality and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: The assessment of patients' upper-limb functionality revealed that there was no change in their functional state in none of interventions. The interviews, on the other hand, indicated that the participants improved their clinical condition and functionality, but this improvement was not enough to assure their return to work. CONCLUSION: The possibility of reflection during both types of intervention allowed a more comprehensive approach to deal with RSI/WRMD patients' illness, recovery and rehabilitation processes, but it was not enough to ensure their return to work.
occupational health; cumulative trauma disorders; modalities of physical therapy; groups
