Hammond, Alison Prior, Yeliz Job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with inflammatory arthritis (WORK-IA): a feasibility randomized controlled trial <p>Abstract</p><p>Background: Inflammatory arthritis leads to work disability, absenteeism and presenteeism (i.e. at-work productivity</p><p>loss) at high cost to individuals, employers and society. A trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation (VR) in the</p><p>United States identified this helped people keep working. The effectiveness of this VR in countries with different</p><p>socioeconomic policies and conditions, and its impact on absenteeism, presenteeism and health, are unknown.</p><p>This feasibility study tested the acceptability of this VR, modified for the United Kingdom, compared to written</p><p>advice about managing work problems. To help plan a randomized controlled trial, we tested screening,</p><p>recruitment, intervention delivery, response rates, applicability of the control intervention and identified the</p><p>relevant primary outcome.</p><p>Methods: A feasibility randomized controlled trial with rheumatoid, psoriatic or inflammatory arthritis patients</p><p>randomized to receive either job retention VR or written information only (the WORK-IA trial). Following three</p><p>days VR training, rheumatology occupational therapists provided individualised VR on a one to one basis. VR</p><p>included work assessment, activity diaries and action planning, and (as applicable) arthritis self-management</p><p>in the workplace, ergonomics, fatigue and stress management, orthoses, employment rights and support</p><p>services, assistive technology, work modifications, psychological and disclosure support, workplace visits and</p><p>employer liaison.</p><p>Results: Fifty five (10%) people were recruited from 539 screened. Follow-up response rates were acceptable</p><p>at 80%. VR was delivered with fidelity. VR was more acceptable than written advice only (7.8 versus 6.7). VR</p><p>took on average 4 h at a cost of £135 per person. Outcome assessment indicated VR was better than written</p><p>advice in reducing presenteeism (Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) change score mean: VR = −12.4 (SD</p><p>13.2); control = −2.5 (SD 15.9), absenteeism, perceived risk of job loss and improving pain and health status,</p><p>indicating proof of concept. The preferred primary outcome measure was the WLQ, a presenteeism measure.</p><p>Conclusions: This brief job retention VR is a credible and acceptable intervention for people with</p><p>inflammatory arthritis with concerns about continuing to work due to arthritis.</p> Feasibility trial;Randomized controlled trial;inflammatory arthritis;Rheumatoid arthritis;Vocational rehabilitation;Occupational Therapy;Rehabilitation and Therapy (excl. Physiotherapy) 2020-06-25
    https://salford.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Job_retention_vocational_rehabilitation_for_employed_people_with_inflammatory_arthritis_WORK-IA_a_feasibility_randomized_controlled_trial/7637597
10.17866/rd.salford.7637597.v1