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Mental Vitality @ Work: The effectiveness of a mental module for workers’ health surveillance for nurses and allied health professionals, comparing two approaches in a cluster-randomised controlled trial

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare two approaches for a worker’s health surveillance (WHS) mental module on work functioning and work-related mental health.

Methods

Nurses and allied health professionals from one organisation were cluster-randomised at ward level to e-mental health care (EMH) (N = 579) or occupational physician care (OP) (N = 591). Both groups received screening and personalised feedback on impaired work functioning and mental health. Positively screened participants received an invitation to follow a self-help EMH intervention, or for a consultation with an OP. The primary outcome was impaired work functioning. Follow-up was performed after 3 and 6 months. Linear mixed models were applied to determine differences. Non-inferiority of the EMH-care approach was demonstrated if the mean absolute improvement on work functioning in the OP-care group was ≤10 points higher than the EMH-care group.

Results

Analyses were performed on the positively screened participants (almost 80 %) (EMH N = 75; OP N = 108) and all participants (EMH N = 98; OP N = 142). Both groups improved over time regarding impaired work functioning. A considerable percentage of participants had improved relevantly at follow-up regarding work functioning (3 months: EMH 30 %, OP 46 %; 6 months: EMH 36 %, OP 41 %) compared to baseline. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups, and the difference did not exceed the pre-defined criterion for non-inferiority.

Conclusion

The OP-care approach for a WHS mental module trended towards better performance in targeting work functioning, but our findings indicate that the EMH-care approach was non-inferior. However, the high dropout rate and low compliance to EMH interventions should be taken into account.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Eva Fischer (Innovation Center of Mental Health & Technology, Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands) for her contribution in the design of the study.

Conflict of interest

The e-mental health interventions used in this study are stand-alone interventions that were developed by the Trimbos Institute at an earlier stage. However, neither the authors working at the Trimbos Institute nor the institute itself derive financial income from the interventions. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The Mental Vitality @ Work trial was co-financed by a grant from the Dutch Foundation Institute Gak (PrevBGZ/project D) and a grant from The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMW) (Grant Number 208010001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700, 1100 DE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sarah M. Ketelaar, Karen Nieuwenhuijsen, Fania R. Gärtner & Judith K. Sluiter

  2. Innovation Center of Mental Health & Technology (I.COM), Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, P.O. Box 725, 3500 AS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Linda Bolier & Odile Smeets

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  1. Sarah M. Ketelaar
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  2. Karen Nieuwenhuijsen
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  3. Fania R. Gärtner
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  4. Linda Bolier
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  6. Judith K. Sluiter
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Correspondence to Sarah M. Ketelaar.

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Ketelaar, S.M., Nieuwenhuijsen, K., Gärtner, F.R. et al. Mental Vitality @ Work: The effectiveness of a mental module for workers’ health surveillance for nurses and allied health professionals, comparing two approaches in a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 527–538 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0893-6

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