Job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis (WORK-IA): a feasibility randomized controlled trial

Hammond, Alison, O’Brien, Rachel, Woodbridge, Sarah, Bradshaw, Lucy, Prior, Yeliz, Radford, Kathryn A., Culley, June, Whitham, Diane and Pulikottil-Jacob, Ruth (2017) Job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis (WORK-IA): a feasibility randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 18 . 315/1-315/15. ISSN 1471-2474

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Abstract

Background

Inflammatory arthritis leads to work disability, absenteeism and presenteeism (i.e. at-work productivity loss) at high cost to individuals, employers and society. A trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation (VR) in the United States identified this helped people keep working. The effectiveness of this VR in countries with different socioeconomic policies and conditions, and its impact on absenteeism, presenteeism and health, are unknown. This feasibility study tested the acceptability of this VR, modified for the United Kingdom, compared to written advice about managing work problems. To help plan a randomized controlled trial, we tested screening, recruitment, intervention delivery, response rates, applicability of the control intervention and identified the relevant primary outcome.

Methods

A feasibility randomized controlled trial with rheumatoid, psoriatic or inflammatory arthritis patients randomized to receive either job retention VR or written information only (the WORK-IA trial). Following three days VR training, rheumatology occupational therapists provided individualised VR on a one to one basis. VR included work assessment, activity diaries and action planning, and (as applicable) arthritis self-management in the workplace, ergonomics, fatigue and stress management, orthoses, employment rights and support services, assistive technology, work modifications, psychological and disclosure support, workplace visits and employer liaison.

Results

Fifty five (10%) people were recruited from 539 screened. Follow-up response rates were acceptable at 80%. VR was delivered with fidelity. VR was more acceptable than written advice only (7.8 versus 6.7). VR took on average 4 h at a cost of £135 per person. Outcome assessment indicated VR was better than written advice in reducing presenteeism (Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) change score mean: VR = −12.4 (SD 13.2); control = −2.5 (SD 15.9), absenteeism, perceived risk of job loss and improving pain and health status, indicating proof of concept. The preferred primary outcome measure was the WLQ, a presenteeism measure.

Conclusions

This brief job retention VR is a credible and acceptable intervention for people with inflammatory arthritis with concerns about continuing to work due to arthritis.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/873393
Keywords: Feasibility trial – Randomized controlled trial – Arthritis – Inflammatory arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis, Vocational rehabilitation, Occupational therapy, Employment, Work and presenteeism
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Units > Clinical Trials Unit
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1671-5
Related URLs:
URLURL Type
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User: Dziunka, Patricia
Date Deposited: 06 Sep 2017 13:18
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 18:56
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/45477

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