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Work-focused Versus Generic Internet-based Interventions for Stress-related Disorders

NCT05240495 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 182

Last updated 2022-02-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Objective The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive-behavioural intervention for stress-related disorders integrating work-related aspects (W-iCBT), compared with a generic iCBT and a waitlist control group (WLC).

Method In this trial, 182 employees, mainly employed in the healthcare, IT or educational sector, who fulfilled the criteria for a stress-related disorder, were randomized to a 10-week W-iCBT (n=61), generic iCBT (n=61) or WLC (n=60). Self-rated questionnaires on perceived stress, burnout, exhaustion and other mental-health and work-related outcomes were administered pre- and post-treatment, and at a six- and 12-months follow-up.

Results Compared to WLC, participants of the W-iCBT and iCBT showed equal and significant reduction on the primary outcome (SMBQ) from pre to post assessment (d=1.00 and 0.83 respectively) and at the six months follow-up (d=0.74 and 0.74). Significant moderate-to-large effect sizes were also found on the secondary health and work-related outcomes. The W-iCBT was the only group who exhibited significant effects on work ability and sickness absence. Sickness absence was 445 days (7.29 days per participant) lower compared to the WLC and 324 days (5.31 days per participant) compared to the iCBT intervention. However, no significant differences were found on work experience or long-term sick leave.

Conclusion The work-focused and generic iCBT interventions proved to be superior and equally effective compared to the control condition in reducing chronic stress and several other mental health related symptoms. Interestingly, effects on work ability and sickness absence were only seen between the work-focused iCBT intervention and the WLC. These preliminary results are promising, as they provide further evidence that treatments that integrate work-aspects has great potential in accelerating both recovery and reduce sickness absence due to stress-related disorders.

Conditions

  • Adjustment Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural therapy protocol was based on contemporary CBT techniques adapted for adjustment disorders, and recovery from work training inspired by Hahn et al. \[50\]. The iCBT program consisted of ten modules distributed over ten weeks, with modules lasting 60-120 min per week.

BEHAVIORAL

Work-focused Cognitive-behavioural therapy

The Work-focused Cognitive-behavioural therapy consisted of the exact generic iCBT-modules included in the first experimental group and of additional work-focused modules adapted for adjustment disorders. The W-iCBT added about 2-3 regular pages compared to the generic iCBT.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Linkoeping University

    lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-01-20
Primary Completion
2019-08-26
Completion
2019-08-26

Countries

  • Sweden

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05240495 on ClinicalTrials.gov