Effectiveness of a Tailored Work-Related Support Intervention for Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effectiveness on return to work (RTW) of an early tailored work-related support intervention in patients diagnosed with curative gastrointestinal cancer. Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial was undertaken, in which patients were assigned randomly to the intervention or the control group (usual care). The intervention encompassed three psychosocial work-related support meetings, starting before treatment. Five self-reported questionnaires were sent over twelve months of follow-up. Primary outcome was days until RTW (fulltime or partial) and secondary outcomes included work status, quality of life, work ability, and work limitations. Descriptive analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis, relative risk ratio and linear mixed models were applied. Results Participants (N = 88) had a mean age of 55 years; 67% were male and the most common cancer type was colon cancer (66%). Of the participants, 42 were randomized to the intervention group. The median time from sick leave until RTW was 233 days (range 187-279 days) for the control group, versus 190 days (range 139-240 days) for the intervention group (log-rank p = 0.37). The RTW rate at twelve months after baseline was 83.3% for the intervention group and 73.5% for the control group. Work limitations did statistically differ between the groups over time (p = 0.01), but quality of life and work ability did not. Conclusion Patients in the intervention group seem to take fewer days to RTW, albeit not to a statistically significant extent. Trial registration Trial NL4920 (NTR5022) (Dutch Trial Register https ://www.trial regis ter.nl

The impact of prehabilitation interventions on affective and functional outcomes for young to midlife adult cancer patients: A systematic review

“…Eight of the 13 studies were randomised control trials RCTs 24,28,48‐53 . Year of publication ranged from 1999 to 2021.…”

Evaluation of Usability and Satisfaction of Two Online Tools to Guide Return to Work for Cancer Survivors on the Cancer and Work Website

“…A recent review on cancer survivorship and work discussed that prior to the onset of cancer treatment was perceived as too early by some cancer survivors [19]. Finally, providing any sort of RTW support to cancer survivors does, in the end, [61] result in long-term positive effects on increasing work participants and earlier RTW [62].…”

Exploration of interventions to enhance return-to-work for cancer patients: A scoping review

“…Three randomized controlled trials, 25,26,32 one controlled study, 30 two feasibility study, 28,35 one pilot study, 34 and seven protocols 27,29,31,33,[36][37][38] regarding vocational interventions were included. There was an e-health intervention 37 aimed to enhance returnto-work for cancer patients by providing workrelated information and solving work-related problems.…”

“…The other 11 studies used interventions of face-to-face interviews, vocational consultation, educational brochures or leaflets and forming a return-to-work plan to enhance caner patients' return-to-work. Among these 14 studies, hospital-based work support, 25,26 the guided workbook study, 28 the return-to-work management 30 and a tailored workrelated support 32 were reported to have positive results. Detailed description of interventions was available in Table 3.…”