Evaluating the clinical effectiveness and staff feedback of a 2-week versus 3-week lower limb rehabilitation programme at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall (UK)

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of morbidity, medical downgrade and discharge within the UK Armed Forces. The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) provides consultant-led, interdisciplinary residential rehabilitation based on a biopsychosocial model. In 2023-2024, DMRC delivered 2-week and 3-week lower limb rehabilitation programmes. This service evaluation compared their clinical effectiveness and explored staff experiences. METHODS: Service personnel (SP) who completed the 2-week (April-December 2023) or 3-week (January-September 2024) courses were assessed at admission and 3-month review. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ), Brief Pain Inventory, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire. Functional assessment tests (FATs) comprised single leg press (5-repetition maximum), glute and hamstring bridges, straight and bent knee calf raises, and side plank. Staff with experience of both models completed an anonymous questionnaire exploring perceived differences. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 110 SP: 49 (2 weeks) and 61 (3 weeks). Across both models, all PROMs and FATs improved significantly over time (p0.05), except for the left glute bridge (p