Protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of a multicomponent sustainable return to work IGLOo...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Mental Health Research
• Intervention Studies

Background:

• Long-term sickness absence costs UK businesses approximately £7 billion annually.
• Common mental health conditions are a primary cause of long-term sick leave.
• The IGLOo intervention aims to support workers' return to and sustained presence in the workplace.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot the IGLOo intervention in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
• To assess the feasibility of the IGLOo intervention for supporting return to work.
• To gather data for a definitive RCT evaluating sustainable return to work for individuals with mental ill-health.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm feasibility RCT involving large UK organisations.
• Recruitment and randomisation of organisations and eligible workers (1:1 ratio).
• Collection of feasibility data (recruitment, retention, attrition, compliance) and outcome measures (mental health, RTW, quality-of-life) over 12 months.
• Qualitative interviews and surveys to explore participant experiences and intervention acceptability.
• Exploratory economic evaluation.

Main Results:

• Feasibility data on recruitment, retention, and attrition will be collected.
• Participant data on mental health, return to work, and quality of life will be gathered.
• Intervention compliance and acceptability will be assessed through qualitative and quantitative measures.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study is crucial for informing the design of a definitive cluster RCT.
• The findings will guide the evaluation of the IGLOo intervention's efficacy on health and work outcomes.
• The study aims to improve support for UK workers experiencing long-term sick leave due to mental health conditions.