Hansen BB, Kirkeskov L, Begtrup LM, et al. – People with low back pain (LBP), particularly those who work in physically demanding jobs, are at risk of taking sick leave, the loss of productivity of which can add to the socioeconomic burden of LBP. Thus, researchers conducted an open-label, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial to compare an early occupational intervention added to usual care with usual care alone in patients with LBP and physically demanding jobs. Usual care included a clinical examination and MRI scan to enable a thorough explanation of the pain, and recommendations to stay active in work. Study participants included 305 individuals with LBP and in physically demanding jobs who were randomly assigned to occupational intervention (n = 153) or no intervention (n = 152; the control group). The investigators did not identify any substantial difference between the treatment group with respect to accumulated sick leave during a 6-month period; however, both groups did demonstrate improvements from baseline in pain, fear-avoidance beliefs, physical quality of life, and disability at 6 months. Overall, the authors found that LBP interventions that include an explanation of the pain might be enough to limit sick leave in patients with LBP and physically demanding jobs. Furthermore, a strategy that could be included into usual care and an early occupational intervention would not have to be carried out by a specialist in occupational medicine.