The effect of individual counselling and education on work ability and disability pension: a prospective intervention study in the construction industry

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a counselling and education programme on work ability and work disability pension for employees in the construction industry. Methods: Employees with a high disability risk of 38% or more in the following four years were included. Employees in the intervention group were either selected by an occupational physician or enrolled themselves. They received an assessment and individual programme focused on optimising work functioning, while the control group received care-as-usual. Data on work ability measured with the Work Ability Index (WAI) and work disability pensions were collected at baseline during a periodic occupational health examination and at 9, 18 and 26 months after the start of the intervention using a questionnaire. Results: Most employees in both the intervention (n = 83) and control group (n = 209) were carpenters (43% and 37%) and bricklayers (7% and 15%). In the intervention group, 42% successfully completed the programme. Work ability in the intervention group was lower at baseline but showed an increase over time while work ability of the control group remained the same. The work ability in the intervention group improved slightly more (p = 0.09). No statistically significant differences in percentages of employees receiving a disability pension between the intervention and control group were found at 9 or 18 months and no differences in the age-adjusted percentages of employees receiving a disability pension were found between the groups at any measurement. Conclusions: The programme was slightly effective in improving the work ability but not in reducing work disability pensions. A more comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention programme might be necessary.

The effectiveness of a construction worksite prevention program on work ability, health, and sick leave: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial

“…In accordance with previous studies on work ability (11,45,46) and mental and physical health status (47), the intervention in the current study showed no improvements on these outcomes. The lack of statisti-Effectiveness of a prevention program at construction worksites cally significant results in the present study are in line with the findings of the short-term outcomes (ie, social support, need for recovery, work engagement, and physical workload) that were also not statistically significant in favor of the intervention group (data not shown).…”

“…To date, we have found only one study that aimed to improve work ability of construction workers at risk for early retirement and disability pensions (11). This six-month counseling and education program showed no significant differences on work ability or disability pensions.…”

Workplace strength training prevents deterioration of work ability among workers with chronic pain and work disability: a randomized controlled trial

“…De Boer (20) observed no significant effect of individual counseling and education on the WAI score for employees in the construction industry with high disability risk and stated that multidisciplinary intervention programs might be necessary. A one-year randomized controlled trial among office workers found worksite physical activity programs to be effective in reducing neck and shoulder pain symptoms, however, no significant change in WAI was observed (21).…”

Improving work ability in construction workers – let’s get to work

“…An intervention program for construction workers in the Netherlands demonstrated that such programs are both feasible and effective in this industry (14). A recent study from the US (15) found that construction roofers who had received job accommodation for a MSD or medical condition had an odds ratio of 0.24 for retiring compared to workers with a similar medical status but without accommodation.…”