Assessing the Effect of a Rehabilitation Intervention on Exhaustion Disorders, Depression, and Return to Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of a Rehabilitation to Work (ReTA) model on symptoms of exhaustion disorder (ED), depression, and return to work (RTW) among healthcare workers on long-term sickness absence (LTSA) for stress-related ill-health.

METHODS

The ReTA was set up as a randomized control trial (RCT), including 30 in the intervention and 41 in the control group. Physicians and nurses on LTSA were recruited via a national insurance database. The degree of self-reported ED and depression was measured using the Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS), and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Data was collected at baseline, 3-month, and 1-year follow-up. A linear mixed model and Pearson chi-square were used to examine between- and within-group differences in KEDS, MADRS, and RTW.

RESULTS

At baseline, no differences in KEDS and MADRS were observed between the groups. KEDS decreased significantly at the 3-month (m = 20.28, m = 25.93; p = 0.023) and 1-year (m = 19.78, m = 24.83; p = 0.041) follow-up in the intervention group but not in the control group (Intervention*time: F (2, 132.595) = 4.126, p = .018). The effect size at both follow-ups was moderate to large (Cohen's d = 0.77 0.69, respectively). No effect was found in MADRS. Between the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups for RTW, there was a significant change for the intervention group (p = 0.029), indicating an increase in full RTW.

CONCLUSION

The ReTA model is an effective treatment for ED among healthcare professionals. Further research is needed with longer follow-up periods to see the long-term effects on ED, depression, and RTW.

TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT05314530.