Interventions on cognitions and perceptions that influence work participation of employees with chronic health problems: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Cognitions and perceptions, such as motivation and return to work (RTW) expectations, can influence work participation of employees with chronic health problems. This makes these cognitions and perceptions important factors for occupational health professionals to intervene upon in order to increase work participation. There is, however, no overview of interventions that influence these factors and are aimed at increasing work participation. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review is to explore available interventions that are focused on cognitions and perceptions of employees with chronic health problems and aimed at increasing work participation. Methods A scoping review was carried out following the framework of Arksey and O’Malley. Ovid MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for original papers published between January 2013 and June 2020. We included studies that describe interventions that focus on at least one of ten cognitions and perceptions and on work participation. The risk of bias of the studies included was assessed using quality assessment tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results In total, 29 studies were identified that studied interventions aimed at changing at least one of ten cognitions and perceptions in order to change work participation. The interventions that were included mainly focused on changing recovery and RTW expectations, self-efficacy, feelings of control, perceived health, fear-avoidance beliefs, perceived work-relatedness of the health problem, coping strategies and catastrophizing. No interventions were found that focused on changing motivation or on optimism/pessimism. Four interventions were judged as effective in changing coping, self-efficacy, fear-avoidance beliefs, or perceived work-relatedness and work participation according to results of randomized controlled trials. Conclusions This review provides an overview of interventions that focus on changing cognitions and perceptions and work participation. Evidence was found for four effective interventions focused on changing these factors and increasing work participation. Occupational health professionals may use the overview of interventions to help employees with chronic health problems to increase their work participation.

Training on involving cognitions and perceptions in the occupational health management and work disability assessment of workers: development and evaluation

“…The main goals of the training program for OHPs are acquiring knowledge of cognitions and perceptions associated with work participation, identifying these cognitions and perceptions, and changing these cognitions and perceptions when necessary. The information provided during the training was based on four previously conducted studies [6,10,11,16]. Results of a systematic review formed the basis for the content about the cognitions and perceptions important for work participation [6].…”

“…Information about factors that may influence the course of a conversation concerning cognitions and perceptions was retrieved from a focus group study among workers with chronic health problems [11]. A scoping review about interventions that are aimed at changing cognitions and perceptions and improving work participation formed the basis for the final part of the training program, in combination with information on how to change cognitions and perceptions retrieved from different guidelines for OPs and IPs [16].…”

Effects of a training program for occupational health professionals on the cognitions and perceptions of workers: a randomized controlled trial

“…Participants discuss how they have been dealing with workers with limiting cognitions and perceptions. Besides, they learn about interventions from a scoping review and interventions described in guidelines for OHPs (De Wit et al 2020). For example, they learn about cognitive functional therapy (Vibe Fersum et al 2013) and a cognitive behavioral group intervention on work anxiety (Muschalla et al 2016).…”

“…In exercises B of the four videos (1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B), the OHPs could score points by recommending evidence-based interventions aimed at the cognitions and perceptions of the client in the videos. Points were assigned when interventions or components of interventions were mentioned that were aimed at limiting cognitions and perceptions and may increase work participation according to results from a scoping review and guidelines for OHPs (De Wit et al 2020).…”

The effect of the Progressive Goal Attainment Program on cognitions, perceptions, and work participation of workers with chronic health problems: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…In a scoping review, interventions were identified that were aimed at changing cognitions and perceptions and increasing work participation [ 11 ]. The Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) is a promising intervention with the aim to decrease limiting cognitions and perceptions and to increase work participation [ 12 , 13 ].…”