Can we enhance the ability to return to work among workers with stress-related disorders?

Abstract

Background: Stress-related disorders are widespread and responsible for high societal costs e.g. sick leave payment and reduced productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intervention program on return to work or labour market.

Return to work after work-related stress: a randomized controlled trial of a work-focused cognitive behavioral intervention

“…This indicates that sick leave due to work-related stress may involve a high risk of losing one's job with negative financial and social implications for the individual. As found in other studies (11,24), about 20-25% in the intervention and control group A were still on sick leave towards the end of the study and many had been fired. Thus, this remaining group may experience increased risk of elimination from the workforce and could be in need of more extensive help in the process of returning to work.…”

“…Our study sample is demographically comparable to those of other Danish SMI studies (22)(23)(24)30). It was comprised of mostly women in their mid-forties employed in the public sector.…”

“…In general, the majority of participants return to work within 10 months, both in this study and in prior studies (10,22,24), suggesting that stress conditions naturally resolve with a certain timeframe. However, 23% of all participants and 18% of the participants in the intervention group and group A were among those fired at some point during the study period.…”

“…For example, studies have combined CBT with a graded approach to RTW and work assignments (20,21) or with workplace dialogue and mindfulness (23). Group-based CBT reduced self-reported absenteeism in one waitlist controlled study (22); however, other studies have not accelerated RTW by CBT using individual (10,24) or group formats (10). A Cochrane meta-analysis reported that CBT was not superior to no treatment in reducing length of sick leave among workers with adjustment disorder.…”

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Swedish version of the Perceived Stress Scale

“…Stress-related health conditions are an urgent issue in most western countries (1)(2)(3)(4). Stress is thus an important risk factor to assess in actions to prevent stress-related disorders and as an outcome measure in rehabilitation projects.…”