Clinical Research Directory

The functional restoration program will be carried out in investigation centers, in day hospitals, five days a week for four to five weeks, for a total of 110 hours ± 10. It will involve physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation or rheumatologists, and various medical rehabilitation assistants for physical therapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic education, and social assistance. Occupational physician and, where applicable, medical advisor, for each patient will also be involved. The program is organized into modules provided in group or individual sessions. Patients will receive daily medical follow-up, which will contribute to psychological support, allow for the adjustment of pain medication, and, if necessary, the adaptation of the program. Patients will be referred, as needed, to a psychologist or psychiatrist for joint care. A predetermined step-by-step progression will be proposed and established based on initial abilities for physical interventions.

Treatment for the comparator group will involve: a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation or rheumatology (two consultations), physical therapists (12 half-hour sessions), social workers (one visit), occupational physicians (one consultation), and, as needed, psychiatrists and psychologists. Patients will also attend two educational sessions. The educational sessions will take place at the investigation centers. They will be conducted by non-medical staff. The topics covered will include inappropriate fears and beliefs, physical activity, neurophysiology and pain management, and coping strategies. The physical therapy sessions will be conducted in outpatient setting. The prescription for physical therapy will specify 12 sessions over 5 weeks, devoted to supervised practice of mobilization, stretching, and muscle strengthening techniques, as well as learning self-rehabilitation.