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, Kate, 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, p. 315.

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Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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. ISRCTN 76777720 . Registered 21.9.12.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router. ** History: ** received: 09-03-2017 ** accepted: 12-07-2017
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Arthritis, Employment, Feasibility trial, Inflammatory arthritis, Occupational therapy, Randomized controlled trial, Rheumatoid arthritis, Vocational rehabilitation, Work and presenteeism
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Centre for Health and Social Care Research
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1671-5
Page Range:	p. 315
SWORD Depositor:	Jill Hazard
Depositing User:	Jill Hazard
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2017 15:49
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 04:19
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16423

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