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After two weeks, 64 of the 92 patients in the bed-rest group (70%) reported improvement as compared with 59 of the 91 patients in the control (watchful waiting) group (65%) (adjusted odds ratio for improvement in the bed rest group, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 2.3). After 12 weeks, 87% of the patients in both groups reported improvement. The results of assessments of the intensity of pain, the bothersomeness of symptoms, and functional status revealed no significant differences between the two groups. The extent of absenteeism from work and rates of surgical intervention were similar in the two groups. Among patients with symptoms and signs of a lumbosacral radicular syndrome, bed rest is not a more effective therapy than watchful waiting. |
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