CAPP Physician Group: HENRY FORD MEDICAL GROUP
Project: Auto Manufacturer Care Innovation Collaborative: Chronic Back Pain Program

Summary: Utilizing complementary and alternative medicine techniques, such as acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, and group classes at the workplace, Henry Ford helps reduce chronic back pain for GM employees.

In 2006, Henry Ford Medical Group created an innovative workplace-based program to address chronic back pain among the employees at the General Motors headquarters in Detroit. The program was particularly innovative in two respects: Utilizing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques; and group classes versus the more traditional “one-on-one” treatment model.

Participants were identified through a confidential online survey at Chrysler Headquarters. Patients who reported having back pain for at least 3 months with pain level of 2 or > on a 0 -1 0 scale were accepted into the study. Classes took place at the worksite. Health Plan quality grants provided funding for the research project through an “Quantum Leap in Quality” grant.

In the study, CAM interventions were found to be between three and five times more effective than physical therapy in resolving back pain. The CAM protocols that were tested included chiropractic, needling acupuncture, electrical stimulation of acupuncture points, St. John Neuromuscular Therapy, movement re-education, and mind-body therapy.

Specifically, the percentage of individuals reporting zero average pain in the last treatment week was 55 percent (35/63) for the group class approach versus 5 percent conventional physical therapy (2/37) and zero patients in the control group. Results for the group class approach also significantly exceeded those resulting from one-to-one CAM interventions with individual patients. Generally, all CAM approaches were more effective than physical therapy.

Cost savings or absenteeism rates are not yet available. However, traditional PT would cost $100,000 for 100 people and yield a 5 percent resolution (defined as pain-free). In this study, pain resolution is 55 percent and about $60,000 in cost savings are anticipated.

For more information about this project, contact Dr. Robert Levine, PhD, Henry Ford Medical Group, (248) 342-7555; Matt Walsh, Health Alliance Plan, (313) 664-8103; Bruce Bradley, General Motors, (313) 665-1817.

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