Depression
Conditions
Keywords
Depression, Work Performance and Productivity, Worksite Intervention
Brief summary
The Work and Health Initiative (WHI) trial is testing an innovative, community-based program that provides mental health and vocational services to workers 50 years or older to improve functioning and reduce productivity loss. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that relative to usual care, the WHI improves the work outcomes of depression and reduces depression-related productivity loss.
Detailed description
National demographic, economic and cultural trends are creating a need for hiring and retaining older workers. However, while many older people will prefer and/or need to work, chronic health problems occurring in mid-life or later can severely disrupt employment. This study will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Work and Health Initiative (WHI). The WHI is an innovative community-based program that provides mental health and vocational services to workers with depression to improve functioning and reduce productivity loss. This study will focus on workers 50 years of age and older. This study will test the hypothesis that relative to usual care, the WHI improves the work outcomes of depression. Study results potentially will result in a new multi-disciplinary method for addressing a serious public health and employment issue.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWork and Health Initiative
Telephone-based multi-modal intervention, consisting of: vocational coaching, cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies and care coordination strategies provided by specially-trained EAP counselors
BEHAVIORALUsual Medical or Behavioral Intervention
Referral to treatment as usual through personal physician, mental health professional, behavioral health program, and/or Employee Assistance Program
Sponsors
OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions
Tufts Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
45 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age ≥ 45 years * working ≥ 15 hours/week * DSM-IV current major depression and/or dysthymia * Work limitations: at-work productivity loss score ≥ 5%
Exclusion criteria
* severe physical health deficits * non-English speaking or reading * positive current alcoholism screening * psychosis * mania
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| At-work performance deficits and productivity loss as measured by the Work Limitations Questionnaire | 4 months post-randomization |
| Absenteeism and productivity loss as measured by the Work Limitations Questionnaire Absence Module | 4 months post-randomization |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Depression symptom severity as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) | 4 months post-randomization |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed