Changes in Workability and Employment Following the Work-related Medical Rehabilitation PV RehaJET

Veränderungen Der Arbeitsfähigkeit Und Erwerbstätigkeit Infolge Des Medizinisch Berufsorientierten Rehabilitationsverfahrens PV RehaJET [Changes in Workability and Employment Following the Work-related Medical Rehabilitation PV RehaJET]

The objective of this observational study is to gain insight into a new approach to rehabilitation in Austria, with a particular focus on work-specific exercises that are dependent on the specific work-related needs of the patients. Two groups are being observed: one was referred to a three-week work-specific rehabilitation programme immediately upon arrival at the rehabilitation centre, while the other group underwent a three-week medical-focused rehabilitation programme before starting a four-week work-specific rehabilitation programme.

Researchers will monitor for indications of improvement following completion of the rehabilitation program. As the two forms of rehabilitation are not directly comparable, they will be observed and analysed as two distinct entities.

As part of their regular inpatient rehabilitation, participants will complete questionnaires at designated intervals (beginning and end of stay), with follow-up assessments scheduled at six and 12 months post-rehabilitation.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Musculoskeletal Diseases or Conditions
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Multimodal rehabilitation with additional work specific training

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 300

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Stefan Gschwenter, MA; Phone Number: +43 50303 - 26722; Email: stefan.gschwenter@pv.at

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Salzburg
    • Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg, Austria, 5630
      • Recruiting
      • Rehabilitationszentrum Bad Hofgastein
      • Contact: Martin Pelitz, Dr.; Phone Number: +4364326685; Email: martin.pelitz@pv.at

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with specific work-related rehabilitation needs

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• The study participants are regular patients in the rehabilitation centre Bad Hofgastein
• Presence of a disease in the area of the musculoskeletal system
• Sufficient motivation to maintain professional participation
• Declaration of consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• No completion of all work-specific rehabilitation modules
• Acute or decompensated disease states with severe functional limitations (i.e. not able to continue with the rehabilitation programme)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
3-week work-specific rehabilitation; This group is referred to the work-specific rehabilitation programme immediately upon arrival at the rehabilitation centre.	Behavioral: Multimodal rehabilitation with additional work specific training; The rehabilitation is based on the biopsychosocial ICF model of the WHO. Taking into account the physical and psychological condition of the patients, an individual therapy plan is created that is tailored to the needs of the patients.
4-week work-specific rehabilitation; This group first underwent a three-week medical-focused rehabilitation programme prior to commencing the work-specific rehabilitation programme.	Behavioral: Multimodal rehabilitation with additional work specific training; The rehabilitation is based on the biopsychosocial ICF model of the WHO. Taking into account the physical and psychological condition of the patients, an individual therapy plan is created that is tailored to the needs of the patients.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
IMBA - Profile comparison	IMBA is a profile comparison method for prevention and rehabilitation. Job requirements and human capabilities are described by standardised, defined characteristics and compared directly with each other. The respective profile sheets consist, among other things, of 70 function-, activity- and context-related main characteristics in which the extent of excessive demands for each characteristic is documented on a scale of 0 - 6 (Min. = 0, Max = 420). Lower values indicate less excessive demands.	3 or 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation
Employment history	The existence of gainful employment subject to social insurance contributions in a specific period allows conclusions to be drawn about the employment history of the rehabilitants.	6 and 12 months after finishing rehabilitation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Work ability index (WAI)	The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument for assessing work ability. (Min. = 7, Max = 49). Lower values indicate less subjective work ability.	3 or 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation + 6 and 12 months after finishing rehabilitation
Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)	The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) operationalizes core criteria for anxiety and depression on a 4 point likert scale (Min. = 0, Max = 4). Lower values indicate less impairments.	3 or 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation + 6 and 12 months after finishing rehabilitation
European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L)	The EQ-5D-5L is a general instrument for measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs), which can be used to assess the quality of life of patients on different dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort) on a 5-level scale (Min. = 0, Max. = 5). Lower values indicate less impairments in the respective dimensions. Moreover, the EQ-5D-5L assesses the patient's self-rated health on a 100 point visual analog scale (Min. = 0, Max. = 100). Lower values indicate less positive ratings of health.	3 or 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation + 6 and 12 months after finishing rehabilitation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Pensionsversicherungsanstalt
• Investigators: Study Chair: Doreen Stöhr, Mag., Pensionsversicherungsanstalt

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 22, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 10, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): September 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 6, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0031 Studie PVRehaJET als EV

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No