work hardening
Comprehensive rehabilitation program designed to restore industrial worker's capacity to perform job-specific tasks safely.
Full Definition
Work hardening represents the final phase of occupational rehabilitation, focusing on restoring a worker's ability to perform essential job functions following injury or illness. These multidisciplinary programs simulate actual work environments and tasks, incorporating progressive physical conditioning, ergonomic training, and behavioral modification strategies. Work hardening typically follows work conditioning and addresses the complex interplay between physical capacity, psychological readiness, and workplace demands. Programs are individually designed based on job analysis data and may last 4-12 weeks with duration of 4-8 hours per day to simulate full work schedules.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as compound modifier. Distinguish from work conditioning, which is less intensive and job-specific.
In Context
- "The patient was referred to work hardening after demonstrating adequate strength gains in traditional physical therapy." — Referral documentation
- "Work hardening outcomes showed successful return to full duty without restrictions." — Discharge report