Prevent Pain and Stress Related Sickleave. (PS)

Problems with stress and pain are common reasons for long-term sick-leave, and need preventive interventions. This RCT builds on a successful previous project (see reference section), where a program involving the work place, the individual and occupational health care resulted in decreased sick-leave and healthcare visits and a higher quality of life as compared to TAU for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. This study will replicate and evaluate the mechanisms behind the involvement from the work place. According to the transdiagnostic model, problems with stress and pain are maintained by similar processes. Consequently, the study will be extended to include both problems, and it will be explored how a refined version of the program affects sick leave and work ability in the employees.

Compared to the earlier study, this RCT will include: A focused program targeting supervisors and employees An active control group An evaluation of the effects on both supervisor and employee Knowledge on the mechanisms involved Replication and extension of earlier findings The project will produce knowledge about: A procedure for identifying individuals at risk for sick-leave. The effects of a program targeting both workplace and individual to prevent problems with stress and pain. The role of the supervisor in preventing sick-leave. Mechanisms linked to decreased levels of sick-leave.

Three smal group sessions (separate for employees (length 2 hours each) and for supervisors (length 2,5 hours each)) focused on training communication and problem solving skills.

Two, 1 hour, lectures, one on the topic of pain and one on the topic of stress (for employees and supervisors combined).

a program for supervisors and employees including skills training, validating communication, problem solving

lecture/course for supervisors and employees on risk factors and actions for people experiencing stress and/or pain

change in Validating and Invalidating Behavior Coding Scale (VIBCS, two 0-7 scales, higher scores indicate higher levels of validating and invalidating communication)

participant perception of intervention credibility, one item taken from the Credibility and expectancy questionnaire

Inclusion Criteria: participating employee has self rated symptoms of stress and/or pain and supervisor also partakes in intervention employed at a workplace within Regionhälsans (occupational health care center) uptake area Exclusion Criteria: pain and/or stress symptoms due to medical conditions severe psychiatric conditions full time sick leave

Linton SJ, Boersma K, Traczyk M, Shaw W, Nicholas M. Early Workplace Communication and Problem Solving to Prevent Back Disability: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial Among High-Risk Workers and Their Supervisors. J Occup Rehabil. 2016 Jun;26(2):150-9. doi: 10.1007/s10926-015-9596-z.