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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01163890

Preventing Mid- and Later-Life Work Limitations

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms

Age range

45 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tufts Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Work and Health Initiative

Behavioral

Telephone-based multi-modal intervention, consisting of: vocational coaching, cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies and care coordination strategies provided by specially-trained EAP counselors

Usual Medical or Behavioral Intervention

Behavioral

Referral to treatment as usual through personal physician, mental health professional, behavioral health program, and/or Employee Assistance Program

Primary outcomes

  1. At-work performance deficits and productivity loss as measured by the Work Limitations Questionnaire

    Time frame: 4 months post-randomization

  2. Absenteeism and productivity loss as measured by the Work Limitations Questionnaire Absence Module

    Time frame: 4 months post-randomization

Secondary outcomes

  1. Depression symptom severity as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    Time frame: 4 months post-randomization

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tufts Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions

Registry information

Official study title

Preventing Mid- and Later-Life Work Limitations: Community-Based Depression Care

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Jul 16, 2010
Registry last updated
Apr 8, 2014

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.

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