Preventing Mid- and Later-Life Work Limitations

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Work and Health Initiative; Behavioral: Usual Medical or Behavioral Intervention

• Registration Number: NCT01163890
• Lead Sponsor: Tufts Medical Center

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-09
• Study First Submitted: 2010-07-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-07-14
• Study First Posted: 2010-07-16
• Primary Completion: 2013-05
• Study Completion: 2013-06
• Status Verified: 2014-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-04-07
• Last Update Posted: 2014-04-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 431

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
WHI	Work and Health Initiative	-
Usual Care	Usual Medical or Behavioral Intervention	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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 Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Depression symptom severity as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)	4 months post-randomization

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tufts Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States