Does Perceived Work Ability Improve After A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program?

Background Long-term sickness absence and early retirement are problems in the municipal employment sector. Ways to support work ability and coping at work are therefore required and it is important that timely actions are aimed at employees at risk to improve their health, promote work ability and prevent long-term sickness absence and early retirement.Aims To evaluate the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in an early rehabilitation programme to improve employees' work ability.Methods A 9-month investigation was done to estimate the causal impact of the CBT intervention in the study group, compared with a control group that was not offered this intervention. The work ability of each group was measured using the Work Ability Index (WAI), with data obtained by self-reporting at baseline and at follow-up at 9 months. Differences were analysed within each group and between groups.Results Participants in the intervention group showed a significant increase in several WAI areas, resulting in an overall increase in total WAI score (P < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in WAI in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusions The results suggest that a CBT-based early rehabilitation programme is effective in increasing employees' work ability, as measured by the WAI.