The purpose of this study was find to positive change in the physical function, task ability and return to work preparation state after providing work hardening program for work accident workers. in addition, find out the effectiveness of training that appears to workers who return to work.
A study was conducted on 167 work accident workers, and work capacity evaluation was conducted before and after training.
There were significant differences in the before and after program in the physical function, task ability and return to work preparation state items(p〈.05). Work accident workers who successfully return to work showed a lot of improvement in hand strength, balance ability, pushing and pulling, and lifting and moving. The effect of the work hardening program was highest among those who returned to the original workplace.
This study proved that work hardening program is effective intervention method for improving physical function and task ability and return to work preparation state. And hand strength, balance, push & pull, carrying item was a factor influencing return to original workplace.
Through this study, work hardening program is an effective intervention method to improve the physical function, job performance ability, and readiness for return to work. And the workers who returned to work showed a lot of improvement in hand strength, balance ability, push and pull, and lift and move ability.