[Intensified Work-Related Rehabilitation Aftercare: Long-term Results of a Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial]. / Intensivierte medizinisch-beruflich orientierte Rehabilitationsnachsorge: Langfristige Ergebnisse der randomisiert-kontrollierten Multicenter-Studie.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensified work-related rehabilitation aftercare (IWORAC) in comparison to the conventional intensified rehabilitation aftercare (IRAC). METHODS: Patients with severe limitations of work-related functioning were recruited in 11 outpatient rehabilitation centres at the beginning of their orthopaedic rehabilitation aftercare and randomly assigned to the interventions. The control group (n=150) received the IRAC while the intervention group (n=157) received the IWORAC which amended the IRAC by work-related functional capacity training, work-related psychosocial groups, social counselling and relaxation training. The primary outcome was work ability. Treatment effects were analyzed by generalized linear regression models. RESULTS: There was no statistically relevant between-group difference in follow-up primary or secondary (e. g., duration of sick leave, quality of life) outcomes. Both groups improved their quality of life and work ability considerably. CONCLUSION: RESULTS were not in favour of the IWORAC. The improvement of existing aftercare treatments might require a stronger involvement of the employer.