NCT05240495

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

Completed NA Last updated 15 February 2022

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural therapy in Adjustment Disorders in 182 participants. Completed in 26 August 2019.

Timeline

20 January 2017

Primary endpoint
26 August 2019

26 August 2019

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Linkoeping University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	single
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	182
Start date	20 January 2017
Primary completion	26 August 2019
Estimated completion	26 August 2019
Sites	1 location across Sweden

Drugs / interventions tested

• Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural therapy
• Work-focused Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Conditions studied

• Adjustment Disorders — all drugs for Adjustment Disorders →

Sponsor

Linkoeping University

Who can join

Adults 18 to 70, any sex, with Adjustment Disorders. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

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.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Work-Focused Versus Generic Internet-Based Interventions for Employees With Stress-Related Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial.
   Persson Asplund R, Asplund S, von Buxhoeveden H, Delby H, et al · · 2023 · cited 16× · PMID 37097739 · DOI 10.2196/34446