Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of a neurocognitive screening evaluation and brief therapy model to improve RTW outcomes for workers who experienced mild head injuries. Methods: Patients referred were evaluated using a neurocognitive and psychological screening battery. Work-focused cognitive behavioral therapy was provided when appropriate, addressing the role of negative emotional adjustment and functional sleep disturbance in prolonging recovery. Results: Average time to RTW was 7 weeks post-evaluation, despite workers being off an average of 10 months between injury and referral dates. Overall, 99% were released to full-duty work without restrictions or accommodations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the favorable outcomes achieved via a structured, clinically driven program for workers who experience head-involved injuries, validating previous research on the importance of recognizing the role of psychological factors in prolonging concussion recovery.

This study demonstrates the benefits of psychological treatment as an adjunctive intervention for improving work-relevant and adaptive functional outcomes and reducing duration of recovery for frontline essential workers diagnosed with COVID-19. The study has relevance for all workers for whom COVID-19 recovery is complicated by psychosocial factors or mental illness.

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Objective Efficacy of a neurocognitive screening evaluation (NCSE) in assessing symptoms and disability associated with post–COVID-19 condition (PCC) and facilitating employee recovery and return to work was evaluated. Methods An NCSE was administered to 64 employees off work because of neurocognitive complaints attributed to post–COVID-19 condition. Neurocognitive and symptom validity data were analyzed along with recovery and return-to-work timelines. Results A large percentage of the employees gave invalid responses and noncredible effort on psychological and cognitive tests (48%). The NCSEs with invalid profiles suggested more severe cognitive and psychiatric symptoms than valid profiles. Both valid and invalid groups had significant reductions in illness duration and lost workdays after the NCSE. Conclusions Post–COVID-19 condition resulted in reports of mild to moderate cognitive and psychiatric symptoms with extensive mean work leave of 11 months before mental health assessment. Regardless of symptom validity, after the NCSE, the employees were released to work at an average of 3 weeks.