Developing a complex vocational rehabilitation intervention for patients with inflammatory arthritis: the WORK-ON study (original) (raw)
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Background: The Workwell trial is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial with the aims of evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis, who are experiencing work difficulties due to their arthritis. Vocational rehabilitation is delivered by health service occupational therapists, who have received additional training in providing this Workwell intervention. A process evaluation will be undertaken alongside the main trial to: investigate implementation fidelity; understand key stakeholders’ perspectives of the intervention and the social and structural context in which the intervention is provided; and explore issues related to future implementation in clinical practice. This protocol describes the aims, objectives, and methodology of the Workwell trial process evaluation. Methods: This mixed methods process evaluation will follow the Medical Research Council’s Guidance on process ev...
BMC Rheumatology
Background Although reduced work ability is a substantial problem among people with inflammatory arthritis (IA), work ability is an underexposed area in clinical practice. Evidence on vocational interventions in IA is limited, but favourable results of delivery by a physiotherapist (PT) warrant the need for further research. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of a multimodal, PT-led, vocational intervention in (self-)employed people with IA compared to usual care. Methods This randomized controlled trial will include 140 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who are (self-)employed and have reduced work ability (Work Ability Index – Single Item Scale (WAS) ≤ 7/10) and/or RA/axSpA related sick leave (≤ 6 months). Participants will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention or control condition (usual care). The intervention, delivered by primary care PTs, will be personalized to each patient, consisting of 10 to 21 sessions over 12 mo...
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2017
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. Trial registration: ISRCTN 76777720. Registered 21.9.12.
Factors associated with successful vocational rehabilitation in persons with arthritis
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 1992
The objective of this study was to analyze factors associated with successful vocational rehabilitation (return to work) among persons receiving state-federal vocational rehabilitation services because of work disability from arthritis. Methods. Multivariate analyses were used to determine the association of sociodemographic, diseaserelated, and agency factors with work outcome among a group of 456 persons with arthritis receiving statdederal vocational rehabilitation services during 1 S 1 9 8 8. Results. Agency-sponsored physical restoration services (P C 0.0001) and retraining (P < 0.0001) were the variables most strongly correlated with return to work. Age, sex, race, disease severity, financial status, and educational level assessed at intake were not significantly associated with work rehabilitation outcome. Conclusion. Factors potentially amenable to agency intervention were more strongly associated with work rehabilitation outcome than were sociodemographic or disease-related variables.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background Work problems are common in people with inflammatory arthritis. Up to 50% stop work within 10 years due to their condition and up to 67% report presenteeism (i.e. reduced work productivity), even amongst those with low disease activity. Job retention vocational rehabilitation (JRVR) may help prevent or postpone job loss and reduce presenteeism through work assessment, work-related rehabilitation and enabling job accommodations. This aims to create a better match between the person’s abilities and their job demands. The objectives of the Workwell trial are to test the overall effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of JRVR (WORKWELL) provided by additionally trained National Health Service (NHS) occupational therapists compared to a control group who receive self-help information both in addition to usual care. Methods Based on the learning from a feasibility trial (the WORK-IA trial: ISRCTN76777720), the WORKWELL trial is a multi-centre, pragmatic, individually-randomised pa...
Archives of Rheumatology, 2016
Objectives: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of client-centered occupational therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and methods: The study included 40 patients (2 males, 38 females; range 39 to 60 years) with RA. Patients were divided into two groups as intervention group (n=20) and control group (n=20) by random sampling method. Each group was given 10 sessions of physical therapy program. In addition, the intervention group received client-centered occupational therapy. Patients were evaluated with Turkish versions of Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Health Assessment Questionnaire, The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2, RA Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement. Results: Pain, activity limitation, and participation restriction scores decreased significantly more in the intervention group compared to the control group. Also, quality of life increased significantly in the intervention group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that occupational therapy intervention reduces activity limitation and participation restrictions in patients with RA. Therefore, such interventions may be generalized for this patient group.