Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Back on Track: Evaluation of an Occupational Reintegration Protocol for Employees With Musculoskeletal Disorders

ConditionMusculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorAmsterdam UMC, location VUmc

About this trial

The objective of the Back on Track study is to evaluate a computer-assisted reintegration protocol for musculoskeletal disorders of a major occupational health service in the Netherlands on its (cost-)effectiveness and conduct a process evaluation. The computer-assisted reintegration protocol aims to reduce sick leave duration and sick-leave associated costs, with the intention to mitigate the impact of sick leave for both employee and employer. Furthermore, this study might provide valuable insights for the improvement of reintegration guidance for workers with musculoskeletal disorders in general.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Aged 18-65 years

Self-reported musculoskeletal complaints as primary reason for sick leave

High risk of long-term sick leave

Disqualifiers

Musculoskeletal complaints due to pregnancy

Retirement within one year

Sick leave duration of >18 days

Trial population

Employees on sick leave due to musculoskeletal complaints receiving return-to-work guidance by a major occupational health service in The Netherlands

Trial design

Design model

Case-control

Time perspective

Prospective

Treatments tested in this trial

  • The computer-assisted reintegration protocol for musculoskeletal disorders

    Other intervention

    The computer-assisted reintegration protocol for musculoskeletal disorders provides an operationalization of the NVAB-guidelines of 'Low Back Pain and Radicular Syndrome' (Luites et al., 2020) and 'Complaints of Arm, Neck and Shoulder' (Elders et al., 2014) and the Dutch Gatekeeper Act. It is designed for occupational health professionals that are involved in the reintegration process of employees on high risk for long term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. It starts from the third week of sick leave until the employee has returned, for a maximum of two years. The central themes of the protocol are an evidence-based, early, intensive and a multidisciplinary approach.

Treatment groups

140 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Intervention: the computer-assisted reintegration protocol for musculoskeletal disorders1 intervention
Group B: Control: usual care0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Time until full RTW

The number of days from start sick leave until full RTW for at least 28 days.

Time frame
Baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), after 6 months (T2), after 9 months (T3), after 12 months (T4).

Secondary outcomes

1

Time until partial return to work

The number of days from start sick leave until partly RTW.

Time frame
Baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), after 6 months (T2), after 9 months (T3), after 12 months (T4).
2

Full return to work

Whether a participant fully returned to work for at least 28 days at the end of follow-up period (yes/no).

Time frame
Baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), after 6 months (T2), after 9 months (T3), after 12 months (T4).
3

Partial return to work

Whether a participant partial returned to work at the end of follow-up period (yes/no).

Time frame
Baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), after 6 months (T2), after 9 months (T3), after 12 months (T4).
4

Way of returning to work

The way a participant returned to work (at the own job/company, with our without adjustments).

Time frame
Baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), after 6 months (T2), after 9 months (T3), after 12 months (T4).

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc

Lead sponsor

Arbo Unie

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
Apply now