RETAINWORKS Program for Disability

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Jill Berk, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Disqualifiers: SSDI, SSI benefits, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the RETAINWORKS program, which helps injured or ill workers stay in their jobs or return to work. It targets people at risk of leaving the workforce and needing public support. The program trains doctors, coordinates job and health services, and provides support from nurses and job experts, with financial rewards for progress.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to consult with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider for guidance.

What data supports the effectiveness of the RETAINWORKS treatment for disability?

The RETAIN Kentucky program, part of the RETAINWORKS initiative, has shown promise in helping people with disabilities stay in the workforce by using strategies tailored to their employment status. Additionally, early intervention programs that focus on retaining jobs for workers with medical conditions have been found to positively affect long-term employment outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the RETAINWORKS Program for Disability safe for humans?

The available research on the RETAINWORKS Program, including its variations like RETAIN Kentucky, focuses on strategies to help people return to work after injury or illness. There is no specific safety data mentioned, but the program involves coordination and support rather than medical treatments, suggesting it is generally safe for participants. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How does the RETAINWORKS treatment differ from other treatments for disability?

The RETAINWORKS program is unique because it focuses on helping people with disabilities stay in or return to work by providing personalized support and resources, rather than relying on medical treatments alone. It involves Return-to-Work Coordinators who assist individuals in navigating employment challenges, making it distinct from traditional medical or rehabilitation approaches. ^{1 2 3 8 9}

Research Team

Jill Berk, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Eligibility Criteria

The RETAINWORKS trial is for individuals aged 18-65 in Kansas who are employed or seeking employment and have a new or worsening health condition affecting their work. Conditions may include musculoskeletal injuries, mental health issues, chronic diseases like diabetes, COPD, CHF, among others. Participants must not be receiving or applying for SSDI/SSI benefits due to the injury or illness.

Inclusion Criteria

My condition is new or a worsening chronic issue affecting my work.

Has a work disability defined as an injury, illness, or medical condition that inhibits or prevents continued employment

My disability affects my ability to work or be productive at work.

Exclusion Criteria

May NOT have application for SSDI or SSI benefits pending or already receiving such benefits at the onset of the injury or illness

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Intake and Randomization

Participants undergo initial intake by a nurse navigator and are randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group

1 week

Intervention

The experimental group receives the full set of RETAINWORKS intervention activities, including SAW/RTW coordination services and workplace-based interventions

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment outcomes and application for SSDI or SSI during the 12 months after enrollment

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• RETAINWORKS (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview RETAINWORKS aims to help people with disabilities stay in the workforce by providing medical services and coordination support. The study will assess how well these services work in Kansas by looking at participants' job retention and productivity after they receive assistance from the program.

Participant Groups

Group I: RETAIN Programming Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The experimental group receives the full set of RETAINWORKS intervention activities.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

The control group receives information and referral to partner services.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Kansas Department of Commerce Topeka, KS

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

68

Patients Recruited

31,130,000+

The United States Social Security Administration

Collaborator

Trials

1

Patients Recruited

4,000+

Findings from Research

A systematic review of 9 trials involving employees on work absence for at least 4 weeks found that return to work (RTW) coordination programs led to a small but significant increase in the likelihood of patients returning to work compared to usual practice, with a risk ratio of 1.08.

RTW coordination also resulted in modest improvements in overall function, physical function, mental function, and pain levels, suggesting that while the effects are small, they may be clinically meaningful for patients at risk of long-term disability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Return to work coordination programmes for work disability: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Schandelmaier, S., Ebrahim, S., Burkhardt, SC., et al.[2021]

The study involved 20 working-age individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had been employed for over 28 months, revealing how they manage their condition in the workplace through different 'timespace' strategies.

Participants identified two main types of chronotopes—'unsustainable epic' and 'temporary idyll'—which reflect their experiences of time and space in relation to work, suggesting that managerial support can significantly impact their ability to cope and retain employment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tortoise or hare? Supporting the chronotope preference of employees with fluctuating chronic illness symptoms. Thompson, L., Ford, H., Stroud, A., et al.[2019]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Framework for Understanding How Variation in Health Care Service Delivery Affects Work Disability Management. [2022]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

RETAIN Kentucky: A return-to-work and stay-at-work program for people with disabilities grounded in the conservation of resources theory. [2022]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Early Intervention to Avoid Prolonged Work Disability: Introduction to the Special Section. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Return to work coordination programmes for work disability: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prediction of failure to retain work 1 year after interdisciplinary functional restoration in occupational injuries. [2012]

6. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Return-to-Work Program for Injured Workers: Factors of Successful Return to Employment. [2018]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employer Policies and Practices to Manage and Prevent Disability: Foreword to the Special Issue. [2022]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employers' Perspectives on Accommodating and Retaining Employees with Newly Acquired Disabilities: An Exploratory Study. [2019]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tortoise or hare? Supporting the chronotope preference of employees with fluctuating chronic illness symptoms. [2019]