Pain, Stress, Psychological
Conditions
Brief summary
Problems with stress and pain are common reasons for long-term sick-leave, and need preventive interventions. This RCT builds on a successful previous project (see reference section), where a program involving the work place, the individual and occupational health care resulted in decreased sick-leave and healthcare visits and a higher quality of life as compared to TAU for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. This study will replicate and evaluate the mechanisms behind the involvement from the work place. According to the transdiagnostic model, problems with stress and pain are maintained by similar processes. Consequently, the study will be extended to include both problems, and it will be explored how a refined version of the program affects sick leave and work ability in the employees.
Detailed description
Compared to the earlier study, this RCT will include: 1. A focused program targeting supervisors and employees 2. An active control group 3. An evaluation of the effects on both supervisor and employee 4. Knowledge on the mechanisms involved 5. Replication and extension of earlier findings The project will produce knowledge about: A procedure for identifying individuals at risk for sick-leave. The effects of a program targeting both workplace and individual to prevent problems with stress and pain. The role of the supervisor in preventing sick-leave. Mechanisms linked to decreased levels of sick-leave.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALcommunication and problem solving
a program for supervisors and employees including skills training, validating communication, problem solving
BEHAVIORALpsychoeducation
lecture/course for supervisors and employees on risk factors and actions for people experiencing stress and/or pain
Sponsors
Örebro University, Sweden
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants receive one of two active conditions. Outcome assessors are not part of the study.
Intervention model description
randomized controlled trial
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* participating employee has self rated symptoms of stress and/or pain and supervisor also partakes in intervention * employed at a workplace within Regionhälsans (occupational health care center) uptake area
Exclusion criteria
* pain and/or stress symptoms due to medical conditions * severe psychiatric conditions * full time sick leave
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| sick leave | 14 months | days on sick leave based on register data |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| stress symptoms | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in perceived stress scale-10, assessed in employees and supervisors |
| work ability | 2 months, 8 months | work ability index, assessed in employees and supervisors |
| exhaustion symptoms | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale, assessed in employees and supervisors |
| pain problems | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionaire, assessed in employees |
| work related factors | 2 months, 8 months | QPS nordic, assessed in employees and supervisors |
| work limitations | 2 months, 8 months | Work Limitations Questionnaire, assessed in employees |
| problem framing | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in Pain/stress Solutions questionnaire (PaSol), assessed in employees |
| communication | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in Validation Invalidation Response Scale, assessed in employees |
| life satisfaction | 2 months, 8 months | Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life scale, assessed in employees and supervisors |
| health | 2 months, 8 months | Visual Analogue Scale (0-100, higher values better health), assessed in employees and supervisors |
| communication behavior | baseline, 2 months | change in Validating and Invalidating Behavior Coding Scale (VIBCS, two 0-7 scales, higher scores indicate higher levels of validating and invalidating communication) |
| symptom catastrophizing | baseline, 2 months, 8 months | change in Symptom Catastrophizing Scale, assessed in employees |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| intervention credibility | baseline | participant perception of intervention credibility, one item taken from the Credibility and expectancy questionnaire |
Countries
Sweden
Outcome results
None listed