Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT01852851

Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work

The investigators plan to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of an on-line eLearning program (entitled Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work) designed to help people with inflammatory arthritis stay employed. The program also includes assessments with 1) an occupational therapist, and 2) a vocational rehabilitation counsellor at the end of the program to help participants identify and obtain necessary changes at work. People from three provinces will be recruited from collaborators' patient and program recipient lists. The study group will receive the program intervention and the control group will receive "usual care" and printed educational material. All participants will be followed for five years. The effectiveness of the program at improving at work productivity and reducing work cessation will be evaluated compared to a control group receiving printed material on employment and arthritis.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosis Arthritis Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Diseases Axial Spondyloarthritis Bone Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Joint Diseases Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Musculoskeletal Diseases Other Connective Tissue Diseases Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatic Diseases Skin Diseases Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Spinal Diseases Spondylarthritis Spondylarthropathies Spondylarthropathy Spondylitis Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Age range

18 year–59 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Arthritis Research Centre

Richmond, British Columbia, V6X 2C7, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Between ages 18 and 59 years
  • Able to read and write English
  • Have inflammatory arthritis confirmed by a rheumatologist (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Psoriatic Arthritis, Other Connective Tissue Diseases and Spondylarthropathy)
  • Have access to a computer, a web-cam, a headset and a printer, or willingness to purchase these items
  • Are willing to travel to Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Cranbrook or Kamloops, Calgary, Toronto, Newmarket or Brampton for one visit with an occupational therapist

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals who are not working
  • Individuals on sick leave, short term or long term work disability
  • Students
  • People performing unpaid work such as volunteer work or taking care of family
  • People planning to retire in the next six years
  • Individuals unable to provide informed consent
  • Individuals living outside of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario

Treatment and study plan

Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work

Behavioral

A ten week on-line eLearning program designed to help people with inflammatory arthritis stay employed. The program consists of 1) 5 interactive web-based eLearning modules that participants will complete individually in between the weekly group sessions, 2) 5 weekly group sessions conducted as virtual real-time web-based group meetings led by a trained facilitator, 3) asynchronous communications such as a message board to facilitate additional interactions among participants, 4) consultations with an occupational therapist (in-person)for an ergonomic assessment, and a vocational rehabilitation counsellor (on-line consultation using web technology) for job retention vocational counselling.

Primary outcomes

  1. Efficacy analysis of at work productivity

    Time frame: 2 years post intervention

    Primary outcome for efficacy analysis of at-work productivity will be measured using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)

  2. Efficacy analysis of work cessation

    Time frame: Over 5 years of follow up

    Primary outcome for efficacy analysis of work cessation is time to complete work cessation, defined as complete cessation of work due to any reason, for at least six months.

  3. Cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity

    Time frame: 2 years post intervention

    Primary outcome for cost effectiveness analysis of at work productivity will be measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Temporary work cessation

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Time to temporary cessation of work for any reason (E.g. sick leave or temporary work disability and short periods of unemployment) for more than 2 months but less than 6 months

  2. Occasional work absence

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Number of days missed from work per year, measured by self report

  3. Reduction in usual amount of time worked

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Reduction in hours per week worked per year, measured by self report

  4. Changes in employment risk factors

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Changes from baseline in job satisfaction, self-efficacy at work, work-related risk factors for work disability (physical demand, job autonomy, difficulty commuting, self-employment and support from co-workers, employers and family), job accommodations and job type, measured by self report

  5. At-work productivity

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Evaluating maintenance of effect on at work productivity over 5 years using the Work Instability Scale (WIS)

  6. At work productivity

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Evaluating maintenance of effect on at work productivity over 5 years using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)

  7. At work productivity

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    New scale being developed and validated to measure at work productivity. Based on a combination of Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (WALS) and Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ).

  8. Cost utility analysis of at work productivity

    Time frame: 2 years post intervention

    Outcome for cost utility analysis of at work productivity will be quality adjusted life year (QALY) measured using EQ-5D.

  9. Cost utility analysis of at work productivity

    Time frame: 2 years post intervention

    Outcome for cost utility analysis of at work productivity will be quality adjusted life year (QALY) measured using SF-6D.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Collaborators

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
  • Simon Fraser University
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Toronto

Registry information

Official study title

Employment and Arthritis: Making it Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating an On-line Program to Help People With Inflammatory Arthritis Remain Employed

Acronym: MIW

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 14, 2013
Registry last updated
May 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.