Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-mmrw7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-10T12:04:41.976Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Interventions for enhancing return to work in individuals with a common mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2016

Y. T. Nigatu ,
Y. Liu ,
M. Uppal ,
S. McKinney ,
S. Rao ,
K. Gillis  and
J. Wang
Y. T. Nigatu*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Y. Liu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
M. Uppal
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
S. McKinney
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
S. Rao
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K. Gillis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
J. Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Y. T. Nigatu, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada. (Email: yeshambel.nigatu1@ucalgary.ca)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent in the working population, and are associated with long-term sickness absence and disability. Workers on sick leave with CMDs would benefit from interventions that enable them to successfully return to work (RTW). However, the effectiveness of RTW interventions for workers with a CMD is not well studied. The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of existing workplace and clinical interventions that were aimed at enhancing RTW. A systematic review of studies of interventions for improving RTW in workers with a CMD was conducted. The main outcomes were proportion of RTW and sick-leave duration until RTW. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from Medline/PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SocINDEX, and Human resource and management databases from January 1995 to 2016. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We pooled studies that we deemed sufficiently homogeneous in different comparison groups and assessed the overall quality of the evidence. We reviewed 2347 abstracts from which 136 full-text articles were reviewed and 16 RCTs were included in the analysis. Combined results from these studies suggested that the available interventions did not lead to improved RTW rates over the control group [pooled risk ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.12], but reduced the number of sick-leave days in the intervention group compared to the control group, with a mean difference of −13.38 days (95% CI −24.07 to −2.69).

Keywords

Clinical trialinterventionmental illnessmeta-analysisreturn to work

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 46 , Issue 16 , December 2016 , pp. 3263 - 3274
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Ahola, K, Virtanen, M, Honkonen, T, Isometsa, E, Aromaa, A, Lonnqvist, J (2011). Common mental disorders and subsequent work disability: a population-based Health 2000 Study. Journal of Affective Disorders 134, 365–372.Google Scholar
Arends, I, Bruinvels, DJ, Rebergen, DS, Nieuwenhuijsen, K, Madan, I, Neumeyer-Gromen, A, Bultmann, U, Verbeek, JH (2012). Interventions to facilitate return to work in adults with adjustment disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 12, CD006389.Google Scholar
Arends, I, Bültmann, U, van Rhenen, W, Groen, H, van, DER, Klink, JJ (2013). Economic evaluation of a problem solving intervention to prevent recurrent sickness absence in workers with common mental disorders. PLoS ONE 8, e71937.Google Scholar
Bakker, IM, van Marwijk, HW, Terluin, B, Anema, JR, van Mechelen, W, Stalman, WA (2010). Training GP's to use a minimal intervention for stress-related mental disorders with sick leave (MISS): effects on performance: results of the MISS project; a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling 78, 206–211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bethge, M, Muller-Fahrnow, W (2008). Efficacy of intensified inpatient rehabilitation in musculoskeletal disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Die Rehabilitation 47, 200–209.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blank, L, Peters, J, Pickvance, S, Wilford, J, Macdonald, E (2008). A systematic review of the factors which predict return to work for people suffering episodes of poor mental health. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 18, 27–34.Google Scholar
Braathen, TN, Brage, S, Tellnes, G, Irene, O, Chris, J, Eftedal, M (2014). A prospective study of the association between the readiness for return to work scale and future work participation in Norway. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 24, 650–657.Google Scholar
Brouwers, EP, Tiemens, BG, Terluin, B, Verhaak, PF (2006). Effectiveness of an intervention to reduce sickness absence in patients with emotional distress or minor mental disorders: a randomized controlled effectiveness trial. General Hospital Psychiatry 28, 223–229.Google Scholar
Brown, TA, Campbell, LA, Lehman, CL, Grisham, JR, Mancill, RB (2001). Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 110, 585–599.Google Scholar
Carroll, C, Rick, J, Pilgrim, H, Cameron, J, Hillage, J (2010). Workplace involvement improves return to work rates among employees with back pain on long-term sick leave: a systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions. Disability and Rehabilitation 32, 607–621.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, J (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd edn. Erlbaum: Hillsdale, NJ.Google Scholar
Cornelius, LR, van, DER, Klink, JJ, Groothoff, JW, Brouwer, S (2011). Prognostic factors of long term disability due to mental disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 21, 259–274.Google Scholar
Desiron, HA, de Rijk, A, van Hoof, E, Donceel, P (2011). Occupational therapy and return to work: a systematic literature review. BMC Public Health 11, 615-2458-11-615.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dewa, CS, Loong, D, Bonato, S, Joosen, MC (2015). The effectiveness of return-to-work interventions that incorporate work-focused problem-solving skills for workers with sickness absences related to mental disorders: a systematic literature review. BMJ Open 5, e007122-2014-007122.Google Scholar
Durand, MJ, Vezina, N, Loisel, P, Baril, R, Richard, MC, Diallo, B (2007). Workplace interventions for workers with musculoskeletal disabilities: a descriptive review of content. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 17, 123–136.Google Scholar
Franche, RL, Cullen, K, Clarke, J, Irvin, E, Sinclair, S, Frank, J, Institute for Work & Health (IWH) Workplace-Based Rtw Intervention Literature Review Research Team (2005). Workplace-based return-to-work interventions: a systematic review of the quantitative literature. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 15, 607–631.Google Scholar
Hamberg-Van Reenen, HH, Proper, KI, Van den Berg, M (2012). Worksite mental health interventions: a systematic review of economic evaluations. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 69, 837–845.Google Scholar
Hees, HL, De Vries, G, Koeter, MW, Schene, AH (2013). Adjuvant occupational therapy improves long-term depression recovery and return-to-work in good health in sick-listed employees with major depression: results of a randomised controlled trial. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 70, 252–260.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Higgins, A, O'halloran, P, Porter, S (2012). Management of long term sickness absence: a systematic realist review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 22, 322–332.Google Scholar
Higgins, JP, Altman, DG, Gotzsche, PC, Juni, P, Moher, D, Oxman, AD, Savovic, J, Schulz, KF, Weeks, L, Sterne, JA, Cochrane Bias Methods Group and Cochrane Statistical Methods Group (2011). The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ (Clinical Research Edition), 343, d5928.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoefsmit, N, Houkes, I, Nijhuis, FJ (2012). Intervention characteristics that facilitate return to work after sickness absence: a systematic literature review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 22, 462–477.Google Scholar
Kivimaki, M, Forma, P, Wikstrom, J, Halmeenmaki, T, Pentti, J, Elovainio, M, Vahtera, J (2004). Sickness absence as a risk marker of future disability pension: the 10-town study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 58, 710–711.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lagerveld, SE, Blonk, RWB, Brenninkmeijer, V, Wijngaardsde, ME IJ, L, Schaufeli, WB (2012). Work-focused treatment of common mental disorders and return to work: a comparative outcome study. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17, 220–234.Google Scholar
Liberati, A, Altman, DG, Tetzlaff, J, Mulrow, C, Gøtzsche, PC, Ioannidis, JPA, Clarke, M, Devereaux, PJ, Kleijnen, J, Moher, D (2009). The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ 339, b2700.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martin, MH, Nielsen, MB, Madsen, IE, Petersen, SM, Lange, T, Rugulies, R (2013). Effectiveness of a coordinated and tailored return-to-work intervention for sickness absence beneficiaries with mental health problems. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 23, 621–630.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mcdowell, C, Fossey, E (2015). Workplace accommodations for people with mental illness: a scoping review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 25, 197–206.Google Scholar
Mental Health Commission of Canada (2016). Mental Health Indicators of Canada (http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/focus-areas/mental-health-indicators-canada). Accessed 2 August 2016.Google Scholar
Netterstrøm, B, Friebel, L, Ladegaard, Y (2013). Effects of a multidisciplinary stress treatment programme on patient return to work rate and symptom reduction: results from a randomised, wait-list controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 82, 177–186.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nieuwenhuijsen, K, Faber, B, Verbeek, JH, Neumeyer-Gromen, A, Hees, HL, Verhoeven, AC, van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM, Bultmann, U (2014). Interventions to improve return to work in depressed people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 12, CD006237.Google Scholar
Noordik, E, van der Klink, JJ, Geskus, RB, De Boer, MR, van Dijk, FJ, Nieuwenhuijsen, K (2013). Effectiveness of an exposure-based return-to-work program for workers on sick leave due to common mental disorders: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 39, 144–154.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nystuen, P, Hagen, KB (2006). Solution-focused intervention for sick listed employees with psychological problems or muscle skeletal pain: a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN39140363. BMC Public Health 6, 69.Google Scholar
Odeen, M, Magnussen, LH, Maeland, S, Larun, L, Eriksen, HR, Tveito, TH (2013). Systematic review of active workplace interventions to reduce sickness absence. Occupational medicine (Oxford, England), 63, 7–16.Google Scholar
Pedersen, P, Sogaard, HJ, Labriola, M, Nohr, EA, Jensen, C (2015). Effectiveness of psychoeducation in reducing sickness absence and improving mental health in individuals at risk of having a mental disorder: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health 15, 763-015-2087-5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perbellini, L, Tisato, S, Quintarelli, E, Dal, PS, Pelizza, L, Riolfi, A, Zonzin, C, Romeo, L (2012). Mental disorders related to persistent negative working conditions. La Medicina del Lavoro, 103, 437–448.Google Scholar
Pomaki, G, Franche, RL, Murray, E, Khushrushahi, N, Lampinen, TM (2012). Workplace-based work disability prevention interventions for workers with common mental health conditions: a review of the literature. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 22, 182–195.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rebergen, DS, Bruinvels, DJ, Bezemer, PD, Van Der Beek, AJ, van Mechelen, W (2009). Guideline-based care of common mental disorders by occupational physicians (CO-OP study): a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine 51, 305–312.Google Scholar
Rebergen, DS, Bruinvels, DJ, Bos, CM, Van Der Beek, AJ, van Mechelen, W (2010). Return to work and occupational physicians’ management of common mental health problems--process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 36, 488–498.Google Scholar
Shaw, W, Hong, QN, Pransky, G, Loisel, P (2008). A literature review describing the role of return-to-work coordinators in trial programs and interventions designed to prevent workplace disability. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 18, 2–15.Google Scholar
Shiels, C, Gabbay, MB, Ford, FM (2004). Patient factors associated with duration of certified sickness absence and transition to long-term incapacity. British Journal of General Practice 54, 86–91.Google Scholar
Sogaard, HJ, Bech, P (2009). The effect on length of sickness absence by recognition of undetected psychiatric disorder in long-term sickness absence. A randomized controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 37, 864–871.Google Scholar
Sogaard, HJ, Bech, P (2010). The effect of detecting undetected common mental disorders on psychological distress and quality of life in long-term sickness absence: a randomised controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 38, 845–856.Google Scholar
Streibelt, M, Egner, U (2012). A meta-analysis of the impact of sample, kind of outcome measurement and time of follow up on occupational re-integration after vocational retraining. Die Rehabilitation, 51, 398–404.Google Scholar
Thunnissen, M, Duivenvoorden, H, Busschbach, J, Hakkaart-van Roijen, L, van Tilburg, W, Verheul, R, Trijsburg, W (2008). A randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of a reintegration training program versus booster sessions after short-term inpatient psychotherapy. Journal of Personality Disorders 22, 483–495.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM, Hoedeman, R, De Jong, FJ, Meeuwissen, JAC, Drewes, HW, van der Laan, NC, Ader, HJ (2010). Faster return to work after psychiatric consultation for sicklisted employees with common mental disorders compared to care as usual. A randomized clinical trial. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 6, Art 375–385; 11.Google Scholar
van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM, Meeuwissen, JA, De Jong, FJ, Hoedeman, R, Elfeddali, I (2007). Randomised controlled trial of a psychiatric consultation model for treatment of common mental disorder in the occupational health setting. BMC Health Services Research 7, 29.Google Scholar
van der Klink, JJ, Blonk, RW, Schene, AH, Van, DI JK, FJ (2003). Reducing long term sickness absence by an activating intervention in adjustment disorders: a cluster randomised controlled design. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60, 429–437.Google Scholar
van Oostrom, SH, Driessen, MT, De Vet, HC, Franche, RL, Schonstein, E, Loisel, P, van Mechelen, W, Anema, JR (2009). Workplace interventions for preventing work disability. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD006955. doi(2), CD006955.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van Oostrom, SH, van Mechelen, W, Terluin, B, De Vet, HCW, Knol, DL, Anema, JR (2010). A workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with distress: results of a randomised controlled trial. Occupational & Environmental Medicine 67, 596–602.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vlasveld, MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM, Ader, HJ, Anema, JR, Hoedeman, R, van Mechelen, W, Beekman, AT (2013 a). Collaborative care for sick-listed workers with major depressive disorder: a randomised controlled trial from the Netherlands Depression Initiative aimed at return to work and depressive symptoms. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 70, 223–230.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vlasveld, MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM, Anema, JR, van Mechelen, W, Beekman, AT, van Marwijk, HW, Penninx, BW (2013 b). The associations between personality characteristics and absenteeism: a cross-sectional study in workers with and without depressive and anxiety disorders. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 23, 309–317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Volker, D, Zijlstra-Vlasveld, MC, Anema, JR, Beekman, AT, Brouwers, EP, Emons, WH, van Lomwel, AG, van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM (2015 a). Effectiveness of a blended web-based intervention on return to work for sick-listed employees with common mental disorders: results of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research 17, e116.Google Scholar
Volker, D, Zijlstra-Vlasveld, MC, Brouwers, EP, van Lomwel, AG, van der Feltz-Cornelis, CM (2015 b). Return-to-work self-efficacy and actual return to work among long-term sick-listed employees. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 25, 423–431.Google Scholar
Waghorn, G, Dias, S, Gladman, B, Harris, M, Saha, S (2014). A multi-site randomised controlled trial of evidence-based supported employment for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 61, 424–436.Google Scholar
Williams, RM, Westmorland, MG, Lin, CA, Schmuck, G, Creen, M (2007). Effectiveness of workplace rehabilitation interventions in the treatment of work-related low back pain: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29, 607–624.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Nigatu supplementary material

Appendix

Download Nigatu supplementary material(File)
File 75.2 KB