Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .
Can sickness absence be reduced by stress reduction programs: on the effectiveness of two approaches
Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two brief preventive stress reduction programs — a cognitive focused program and a combined intervention of physical exercise and relaxation — on  sickness absence in stressed and non-stressed employees working in various jobs in a telecom company . Methods The study was design ed as an a priori r and omized trial and the follow-up period for sickness absence was 1 year .  Sickness absence data of 242 employees were analyzed with respect to spells of sickness ( frequency , incidence rate ) , days ( length , duration ) and time between intervention and first subsequent absent spell . Results For stressed employees this study suggests that the illness burden represented by absenteeism is not affected by the interventions . There is no substantial difference in effectiveness between the cognitive and physical interventions . However , in comparison with the physical intervention the cognitive intervention decreases the period between the intervention and the first recurrence of a sick leave period with 144 days ( marginal significant ) . Conclusion The illness burden represented by absenteeism is effected in detail but not substantially by the interventions
Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .