There was strong evidence that duration away from work from both MSK or pain-related conditions and MH conditions were significantly reduced by multi-domain interventions encompassing at least two of the three domains .
There was moderate evidence that these multi-domain interventions had a positive impact on cost outcomes .
There was strong evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy interventions that do not also include workplace modifications or service coordination components are not effective in helping workers with MH conditions in RTW .
Evidence for the effectiveness of other single-domain interventions was mixed , with some studies reporting positive effects and others reporting no effects on lost time and work functioning .
Purpose The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of workplace-based return-to-work ( RTW ) interventions and work disability management ( DM ) interventions that assist workers with musculoskeletal ( MSK ) and pain-related conditions and mental health ( MH ) conditions with RTW .
Work-focused treatment of common mental disorders and return to work: a comparative outcome study.
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two individual-level psychotherapy interventions : ( a ) treatment as usual consisting of cognitive-behavioral therapy ( CBT ) and ( b ) work-focused CBT ( W-CBT ) that integrated work aspects early into the treatment . Both interventions were carried out by psychotherapists with employees on sick leave because of common mental disorders ( depression , anxiety , or adjustment disorder ) . In a quasi-experimental design , 12-month follow-up data of 168 employees were collected . The  CBT group consisted of 79 clients , the W-CBT group of 89 . Outcome measures were duration until return to work ( RTW ) , mental health problems , and costs to the employer . We found significant effects on duration until RTW in favor of the W-CBT group : full RTW occurred 65 days earlier . Partial RTW occurred 12 days earlier . A significant decrease in mental health problems was equally present in both conditions . The average financial advantage for the employer of an employee in the W-CBT group was estimated at $ 5,275 U.S. dollars compared with the CBT group . These results show that through focusing more and earlier on work-related aspects and RTW , functional recovery in work can be substantially speeded up within a regular psychotherapeutic setting . This result was achieved without negative side effects on psychological complaints over the course of 1 year . Integrating work-related aspects into CBT is , therefore , a fruitful approach with benefits for employees and employers alike
There was strong evidence that duration away from work from both MSK or pain-related conditions and MH conditions were significantly reduced by multi-domain interventions encompassing at least two of the three domains .
There was moderate evidence that these multi-domain interventions had a positive impact on cost outcomes .
There was strong evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy interventions that do not also include workplace modifications or service coordination components are not effective in helping workers with MH conditions in RTW .
Evidence for the effectiveness of other single-domain interventions was mixed , with some studies reporting positive effects and others reporting no effects on lost time and work functioning .
Purpose The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of workplace-based return-to-work ( RTW ) interventions and work disability management ( DM ) interventions that assist workers with musculoskeletal ( MSK ) and pain-related conditions and mental health ( MH ) conditions with RTW .