Effects of a stress management intervention on absenteeism and return to work – results from a randomized wait-list controlled trial
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: High levels of work-related stress are associated with increased absenteeism from work and reduced work ability. In this study, we investigated the effects of a stress management intervention on absenteeism and return to work. METHODS: We randomized 102 participants into either the intervention or wait-list control (WLC) group. The intervention group received the intervention in weeks 1-16 from baseline, and the WLC group received the intervention in weeks 17-32. Self-reported data on absenteeism (number of days full- or part-time absent from work within the previous three months) were obtained at 16, 32, and 48 weeks follow-up. Register-based data on long-term absence from work were drawn from the Danish public transfer payments (DREAM) database from baseline and 48 weeks onwards. The DREAM database contains weekly information on long-term sickness absence compensation. The threshold to enter DREAM is sick leave for two consecutive weeks. RESULTS: At follow-up in week 16, self-reported absenteeism in the intervention group [median 11 days (range 3-25)] was lower (P=0.02) than in the WLC group [median 45 days (range 19-60)], corresponding to a 29% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5-52] reduction. On register-based data (cumulated weeks in DREAM, weeks 1-16), the intervention group median [6 weeks (range 0-11)] was lower than that of the WLC group [median 12 weeks (range 8-16)], though not significantly (P=0.06), corresponding to a 21% (95% CI 0-42) reduction. For return to work, a hazard ratio of 1.58 (95% CI 0.89-2.81) favoring the intervention group was found (P=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention reduces self-reported absenteeism from work. A similar trend was found from register-based records. No conclusive evidence was found for return to work.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Several studies on face-to-face or Web-based worker-directed interventions for non-sick-listed employees have shown positive effects of the interventions on symptom reduction.
“All these studies showed positive effects of the interventions on symptom reduction.”
From Long-Term Results of a Web-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Employees With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial (2014) · cites this paper as [36]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Healthy work: stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life
(1990) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.28-0381 · Cited by 8,158 · cited 1× · see citing works
“emotions, and physical sensations in relation to repeated critical situations at work, typically involving perceived demands that one is not able to meet (16), and negative expectancies of coping with future situations (17).”
(1988) · Cited by 4,111 · see citing works
Charbonneau, D. H. (2005) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 2,041 · see citing works
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Rosenstock, L., Rest, K. M., BENSON, J. A., Cannella, J. M., Cohen, J. J., Cullen, M. R., Davidoff, F. F., Landrigan, P. J., Reynolds, R. C., Clever, L. H., et al. (1991) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199109263251305 · Cited by 1,627 · see citing works
Effects of occupational stress management intervention programs: A meta-analysis.
Richardson, K. M., & Rothstein, H. R. (2008) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/1076-8998.13.1.69 · Cited by 1,374 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In a recent review, 4 out of 36 studies used absenteeism as an endpoint; none of these used a cognitive behavioral approach (8).”
Sick but yet at work. An empirical study of sickness presenteeism
Aronsson, G., Gustafsson, K., & Dallner, M. (2000) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech.54.7.502 · Cited by 1,250 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Also, we have no measure of the extent of sickness presenteeism (ie, going to work despite not feeling fit for work), which may be more associated with some occupations than others (26).”
The cognitive activation theory of stress.
Ursin, H., & Eriksen, H. R. (2004) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00091-x · Cited by 1,004 · cited 2× · see citing works
“…stress as the experience of intense negative cognitions, Willert et al emotions, and physical sensations in relation to repeated critical situations at work, typically involving perceived demands that one is not able to meet (16), and negative expectancies of coping with future situations (17).”
The benefits of interventions for work-related stress
(2001) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.91.2.270 · Cited by 999 · see citing works
The Social Psychology of Health.
Gold, D. T., Spacapan, S., & Oskamp, S. (1990) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2073512 · Cited by 640 · see citing works
Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers
Ruotsalainen, J. H., Verbeek, J. H. A. M., Mariné, A., & Serra, C. (2015) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd002892.pub5 · Cited by 627 · see citing works
Research on work-related stress
Cox, T. (2000) · Cited by 530 · see citing works
Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers
Marine, A., Ruotsalainen, J. H., Serra, C., & Verbeek, J. H. (2006) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd002892.pub2 · Cited by 499 · see citing works
Mika Kivimaki, B., Head, J. A., Ferrie, J. E., Shipley, M. J., Vahtera, J., & Marmot, M. G. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7411.364 · Cited by 453 · see citing works
A Population-Based, Randomized Clinical Trial on Back Pain Management
Loisel, P., Abenhaim, L., Durand, P., Esdaile, J. M., Suissa, S., Gosselin, L., Simard, R., Turcotte, J., & Lemaire, J. (1997) · Spine · doi:10.1097/00007632-199712150-00014 · Cited by 451 · see citing works
van der Klink, J. J. L., Blonk, R. W. B., Schene, A. H., & van Dijk, F. J. H. (2003) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oem.60.6.429 · Cited by 378 · cited 5× · see citing works
“These differences reduce the comparability of the Klink et al study to our study.”
InfluentialWorkplace interventions for preventing work disability
van Oostrom, S. H., Driessen, M. T., de Vet, H. C. W., Franche, R., Schönstein, E., Loisel, P., van Mechelen, W., & Anema, J. R. (2009) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006955.pub2 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Blonk, R. W. B., Brenninkmeijer, V., Lagerveld, S. E., & Houtman, I. L. D. (2006) · Work & Stress · doi:10.1080/02678370600856615 · Cited by 280 · cited 6× · see citing works
“In three recent Cochrane reviews (3–5), only two studies targeted work ability directly (6, 7).”
InfluentialFerrie, J. E., Mika Kivimaki, B., Head, J. A., Shipley, M. J., Vahtera, J., & Marmot, M. G. (2005) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oem.2004.013896 · Cited by 228 · cited 1× · see citing works
“From the Whitehall study, Ferrie et al (20) found good agreement between self-reported data and employers’ registers of sickness absence.”
How to measure sickness absence? Literature review and suggestion of five basic measures
Hensing, G. K. E., Alexanderson, K. A. E., Allebeck, P., & Bjurulf, P. (1998) · Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine · doi:10.1177/14034948980260020201 · Cited by 211 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Numerous ways of assessing absenteeism have been proposed, including (i) incidence; (ii) cumulative duration from ≥1 absence spells; (iii) time until first, or lasting return to work; and (iv) time until first recurrence of sickness absence (4, 21).”
Schene, A. H., Koeter, M. W. J., Kikkert, M., Swinkels, J. A., & McCrone, P. (2006) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291706009366 · Cited by 203 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In three recent Cochrane reviews (3–5), only two studies targeted work ability directly (6, 7).”
The UK perspective: a review of research on organisational stress management interventions
Giga, S. I., Noblet, A. J., Faragher, B. E., & Cooper, C. L. (2003) · Australian Psychologist · doi:10.1080/00050060310001707167 · Cited by 176 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Cognitive behavioral stress management interventions often use only psychological outcomes (8–10).”
de Vente, W., Kamphuis, J. H., Emmelkamp, P. M. G., & Blonk, R. W. B. (2008) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/1076-8998.13.3.214 · Cited by 142 · cited 5× · see citing works
“An exception to this is a string of Dutch studies (6, 11–15), of which three studies are relevant to the present study.”
InfluentialInterventions to improve occupational health in depressed people
Nieuwenhuijsen, K., Bültmann, U., Neumeyer-Gromen, A., Verhoeven, A. C., Verbeek, J. H., & Feltz-Cornelis, C. M. (2008) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006237.pub2 · Cited by 129 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The following articles refer to this text: 2012;38(2):89-184; 2013;39(4):321-426; 2016;42(6):455-562; 2017;43(5):393-504”
de Boer, A. G. E. M., van Beek, J.-C., Durinck, J. R., Verbeek, J. H. A. M., & van Dijk, F. J. H. (2004) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oem.2003.009746 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Øyeflaten, I., Hysing, M., & Eriksen, H. (2008) · Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.2340/16501977-0202 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Bakker, I. M. C., Terluin, B., van Marwijk, H., van der Windt, D., Rijmen, F., van Mechelen, W., & Stalman, W. A. B. (2007) · PLoS Clinical Trials · doi:10.1371/journal.pctr.0020026 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Willert, M. V., Thulstrup, A. M., Hertz, J., & Bonde, J. P. (2009) · Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.1313 · Cited by 56 · cited 1× · see citing works
“This would allow for detection of a between-groups difference of one standard deviation (SD) from the score at baseline (24, 25).”
Self-citationDuration of work disability: A comparison of self-report and administrative data
Pole, J. D., Franche, R., Hogg‐Johnson, S., Vidmar, M., & Krause, N. (2006) · American Journal of Industrial Medicine · doi:10.1002/ajim.20300 · Cited by 55 · cited 2× · see citing works
“It has been discussed how to measure absenteeism from work and return to work (18) – and which method (ie, using self-report or register-based data) is preferred (19).”
Can sickness absence be reduced by stress reduction programs: on the effectiveness of two approaches
van Rhenen, W., Blonk, R. W. B., Schaufeli, W. B., & van Dijk, F. J. H. (2007) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s00420-006-0157-9 · Cited by 46 · cited 1× · see citing works
“An exception to this is a string of Dutch studies (6, 11–15), of which three studies are relevant to the present study.”
Research Findings on the Effects of Psychotherapy and their Implications for Practice.
Lambert, M. J., & Archer, A. (2007) · American Psychological Association eBooks · doi:10.1037/11423-005 · Cited by 41 · cited 2× · see citing works
“From research on the efficacy of psychological treatments in general, it is known that the effects one can expect stem from both non-specific and specific factors (23).”
How to measure sickness absence? Literature review and suggestion of five basic measures
Hensing, K. A. G. (1998) · Scandinavian Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1080/14034949850153662 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Clemens, N. A. (2002) · Journal of Psychiatric Practice · doi:10.1097/00131746-200201000-00007 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Introduction to the Special Issue on Measurement of Work Outcomes
Young, A. E., Pransky, G., & van Mechelen, W. (2002) · Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation · doi:10.1023/a:1016884925703 · Cited by 5 · cited 2× · see citing works
“It has been discussed how to measure absenteeism from work and return to work (18) – and which method (ie, using self-report or register-based data) is preferred (19).”
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Interventions to facilitate return to work in adults with adjustment disorders
Arends, I., Bruinvels, D. J., Rebergen, D. S., Nieuwenhuijsen, K., Madan, I., Neumeyer‐Gromen, A., Bültmann, U., & Verbeek, J. H. A. M. (2012) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006389.pub2 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Gesch, D., Bernhardt, O., Alte, D., Schwahn, C., Kocher, T., John, U., & Hensel, E. (2004) · PubMed · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Return-to-work coordination programmes for improving return to work in workers on sick leave
Vogel, N., Schandelmaier, S., Zumbrunn, T., Ebrahim, S., de Boer, W. E., Busse, J. W., & Kunz, R. (2017) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd011618.pub2 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Reme, S. E., Grasdal, A. L., Løvvik, C., Lie, S. A., & Øverland, S. (2015) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oemed-2014-102700 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Mikkelsen, M. B., & Rosholm, M. (2018) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oemed-2018-105073 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Testing a Model of Officer Intentions to Quit
Allisey, A., Noblet, A. J., LaMontagne, A. D., & Houdmont, J. (2013) · Criminal Justice and Behavior · doi:10.1177/0093854813509987 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Arends, I., van der Klink, J. J. L., van Rhenen, W., de Boer, M. R., & Bültmann, U. (2013) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oemed-2013-101412 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Geraedts, A. S., Kleiboer, A. M., Twisk, J., Wiezer, N. M., van Mechelen, W., & Cuijpers, P. (2014) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.3539 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Salomonsson, S., Hedman‐Lagerlöf, E., & Öst, L. (2018) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291718000065 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
“…studies had mainly a focus on symptom reduction (e.g. Simon et al. 1998; Schoenbaum et al. 2001; Rost et al. 2004; De Vente et al. 2008) and some studies had combined interventions that focused on both RTW and symptom reduction (e.g. Willert et al. 2011; Vlasveld et al. 2013; Volker et al. 2015).”
BackgroundSahlin, E., Ahlborg, G., Matuszczyk, J. V., & Grahn, P. (2014) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph110606586 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
“Willert and colleagues [16] reported a significant reduction in self-reported absenteeism from work for participants in a cognitive behavioral stress management program compared to a waitlist control; however, while this difference was in favor of the intervention it had not reached significance at”
BackgroundResultNetterstrøm, B., Friebel, L., & Ladegaard, Y. (2013) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000346369 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of tertiary interventions in clinical burnout
Perski, O., Grossi, G., Perski, A., & Niemi, M. (2017) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.12398 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Psychotherapy of adjustment disorders: Current state and future directions
Domhardt, M., & Baumeister, H. (2018) · The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/15622975.2018.1467041 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
“The review focussed on psychological interventions, as no RCTs were found for pharmacological interventions, exercise programmes or employee assistance programmes at the time.”
BackgroundInfluentialRole of rehabilitation in chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder: A narrative review
Wallensten, J., Åsberg, M., Wiklander, M., & Nager, A. (2019) · Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.2340/16501977-2545 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Martin, M. H. T., Nielsen, M. B. D., Madsen, I. E. H., Petersen, S. M. A., Lange, T., & Rugulies, R. (2013) · Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation · doi:10.1007/s10926-013-9421-5 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
“The majority of RTW-interventions aimed at sickness absence beneficiaries with MHPs involve some form of cognitive-behavioural treatment to improve coping skills in relation to work [2–5].”
BackgroundAssociations of perceived indoor environmental quality with stress in the workplace
Thach, T., Mahirah, D., Sauter, C., Roberts, A. C., Dunleavy, G., Nazeha, N., Rykov, Y. G., Zhang, Y., Christopoulos, G. I., Soh, C. K., et al. (2020) · Indoor Air · doi:10.1111/ina.12696 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Dalgaard, V. L., Aschbacher, K., Andersen, J. H., Glasscock, D., Willert, M. V., Carstensen, O., & Biering, K. (2017) · Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.3655 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“The coding of the DREAM registrations used for analyzing lasting RTW in this study was carried out in accordance with a previous Danish stress management study (22).”
InfluentialSelf-citationArends, I., Bültmann, U., van Rhenen, W., Groen, H., & van der Klink, J. J. L. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071937 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Moriana, J. A., Gálvez-Lara, M., & Corpas, J. (2017) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.03.008 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Xu, H., Cai, J., Sawhney, R., Jiang, S., Buys, N. J., & Sun, J. (2023) · Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation · doi:10.1007/s10926-023-10116-4 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“20 trials conducted individual based-CBT interventions [16, 20, 32–34, 42, 44, 45, 47, 50–52, 54, 58–62], 11 trials conducted group based-CBT interventions [19, 21, 30, 31, 33, 43, 48, 53, 55–57], and 3 trials delivered CBT through a mixed mode [35, 46, 49] with both individual and group sessions.”
InfluentialPedersen, P., Søgaard, H., Labriola, M., Nøhr, E., & Jensen, C. (2015) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2087-5 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Some studies have included interventions by a specialist in mental health care with the aim of reducing symptoms and enhance participants’ coping skills in relation to work [14–16].”
BackgroundPoulsen, R. M., Hoff, A., Fisker, J. P., Hjorthøj, C. R., & Eplov, L. F. (2017) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2272-1 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Work-Life Balance Programs to Improve Employee Performance
Sheppard, G. S. (2016) · ScholarWorks (Walden University) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Glasscock, D., Carstensen, O., & Dalgaard, V. L. (2018) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s00420-018-1314-7 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Lammerts, L., Schaafsma, F., Bonefaas-Groenewoud, K., van Mechelen, W., & Anema, J. (2016) · Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.3588 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“The large impact of CMD on society has led to a growing attention in recent literature for the development and evaluation of interventions that aim to promote return to work (RTW) of workers on sick leave due to a CMD [4–14].”
BackgroundReturn-to-work interventions for sick-listed employees with burnout: a systematic review
Lambreghts, C., Vandenbroeck, S., Goorts, K., & Godderis, L. (2023) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oemed-2023-108867 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“The duration of sickness absence at baseline ranged from 2–24 weeks 36 to 1–3 years.”
Doki, S., Sasahara, S., & Matsuzaki, I. (2014) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s00420-014-0996-8 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“One study was workers with work-related stress, specifically psychiatric disorders without substantial psychosocial strains outside of work, bullying, severe psychiatric condition, or substance abuse; meanwhile, the other studies were limited to workers with major depressive disorder (Willert et al. 2011; van Oostrom…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialPsychological Treatment of Exhaustion Due to Persistent Non-Traumatic Stress: A Scoping Review.
van de Leur, J. C., Jovicic, F., Åhslund, A., McCracken, L. M., & Buhrman, M. (2024) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-023-10185-y · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Nowrouzi‐Kia, B., Garrido, P., Gohar, B., Yazdani, A., Chattu, V. K., Bani‐Fatemi, A., Howe, A. S., Duncan, A., Riquelme, M. P., Abdullah, F., et al. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11101403 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“, Denmark [31] Randomized waitlist-controlled trial; n = 102 Work-Related Stress Group-format cognitive behavioral stress management intervention and Health-Focused 9 n/a”
BackgroundMethodPoulsen, R. M., Fisker, J. P., Hoff, A., Hjorthøj, C. R., & Eplov, L. F. (2017) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2273-0 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Riva, S., & Chinyio, E. (2018) · Occupational Health Science · doi:10.1007/s41542-018-0015-7 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Broddadóttir, E., Flóvenz, S. Ó., Gylfason, H. F., Þormar, Þ., Einarsson, H., Salkovskis, P. M., & Sigurðsson, J. F. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18168657 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Between 60 and 80% of ED patients do not meet criteria post-treatment [31,34,35], and between 70 and 80% of ED patients return to work within a year regardless of intervention [36].”
BackgroundPreventing Sickness Absence With Career Management Intervention
Toppinen‐Tanner, S., Böckerman, P., Mutanen, P., Martimo, K.-P., & Vuori, J. (2016) · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000887 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Previous research has found positive effects of interventions among employees on sick leave(23,30) or in specific risk groups.(24) Our study has several strengths.”
ResultVariation in effect of intervention studies in research on sickness absence
Søgaard, H. J. (2012) · Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials · doi:10.2147/oajct.s25651 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Staal, J. B., De Rijk, A., Houkes, I., & Heymans, M. W. (2013) · Handbook of Work Disability · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6214-9_20 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Stress and Presenteeism Among Kansas Hospital Employees
Huff, J., & Ablah, E. A. (2016) · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000872 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“It is clear that such access can increase employees’ likelihood of meeting physical activity recommendations,(8) which can be associated with reduced absenteeism and decreases in employers’ costs.(9) Another stress-reduction strategy of interest to employees was flex-time.”
BackgroundHow should methods for return to work be evaluated?
Järvholm, B. (2012) · Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.3277 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Shiri, R., Varje, P., & Toppinen‐Tanner, S. (2025) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112140 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Kyndi, M., Willert, M. V., Vestergaard, J. M., Andersen, J. H., Christiansen, D. H., & Dalgaard, V. L. (2023) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072217 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Numerous randomised controlled studies (RCT) 6 7 18 33–38 have investigated the effects of various types of return- to-work interventions and reported at most only modest effect.”
BackgroundSelf-citationDoki, S., Sasahara, S., Hirai, Y., Oi, Y., & Matsuzaki, I. (2016) · International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health · doi:10.1007/s00420-016-1162-2 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Although there are many studies of interventions for sicklisted workers due to mental illness to decrease absenteeism (Arends et al. 2012; Doki et al. 2015a; Vlasveld et al. 2013; Willert et al. 2011), the findings of the present study could offer new factors of absenteeism, which are related to systems for return to…”
BackgroundTherapy of the Adjustment Disorder
Baumeister, H., Bachem, R., & Domhardt, M. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-64057-9_21 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Netterstr�m, B., Friebel, L., & Ladegaard, Y. (2014) · Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science · doi:10.5455/jeos.20120729073901-1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Inherent limitations of studies of work resumption are national differences in labor market regulations and differences in official sick leave policies, weakening the comparability of studies across countries [15,16].”
BackgroundResultInfluentialSickness absence and voluntary employer paid health insurancePreprint
Pedersen, K. M., Winsløwsvej, J. B., & Odense, C. (2011) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Kubesch, N. J., Gaitonde, S., Petriti, U., Bakker, E., Basu, S., Birks, L. E., Aubrun, E., de Vries, S. T., & Schneider, R. (2024) · Clinical and Translational Science · doi:10.1111/cts.70072 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Therapie der Anpassungsstörung
Baumeister, H., Bachem, R., & Domhardt, M. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-58470-5_21 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Quantifying the impact of occupational stress on long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders
Iwasaki, S., Deguchi, Y., Okura, S., Maekubo, K., & Inoue, K. (2024) · Work · doi:10.1177/10519815241289654 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“23,24 The results of this study show that clerical workers are most at risk of LTSA-MD and should be the focus of stress management.”
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Managing Workplace Stress
Ohu, E. A., Laguda, E., & Ogunyemi, K. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62163-0_7 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Evaluación de Competencias de los Gestores de la Salud y Seguridad Ocupacional en Chile
Bugueño, A. M. S., Frenz, P., Valdivia, L., & Almagro, I. H. (2013) · Ciencia & trabajo · doi:10.4067/s0718-24492013000300003 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Return-to-work support programs for workers on sick leave: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Doki, S., Harano, S., Shinada, K., Ohyama, A., & Kojimahara, N. (2018) · SANGYO EISEIGAKU ZASSHI · doi:10.1539/sangyoeisei.2018-008-a · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Return-to-work in Japanese Occupational Health Settings: A Systematic Review and Recommendations
Kojimahara, N., Muto, G., Teruya, K., Nogawa, K., & Doki, S. (2020) · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB) · doi:10.24488/twmuj.2019007 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Development process of Evidence-based "Return-to-work Guidance in Occupational Health 2017"
Kojimahara, N., Fukumoto, M., Yoshikawa, E., Shinada, K., & Tsuiki, H. (2018) · SANGYO EISEIGAKU ZASSHI · doi:10.1539/sangyoeisei.2017-030-b · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Jensen, J. H., Flachs, E. M., Petersen, K. U., Sejbæk, C. S., Ross, L., Eller, N. H., & Khoury, B. (2023) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3110351/v1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Bond, C. B., Brandt, L. P. A., Ditlevsen, D. N., Dalkin, S. M., Willert, M. V., & Andersen, L. N. (2025) · Evaluation and Program Planning · doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2025.102634 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationMindfulness and Stress Reduction: Managing Workplace Stress
Ohu, E., Laguda, E., & Ogunyemi, K. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-61929-3_7-1 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
To stress the importance of nature
Sahlin, E. (2014) · Epsilon Open Archive (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet biblioteket (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Kolstad, H. A., Christensen, M. V., Jensen, L. D., Schlünssen, V., Thulstrup, A. M., & Bonde, J. P. (2013) · Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.3350
Self-citationTherapist effects in workplace stress management interventions: A systematic review
Thomas, M. (2015) · UTAS Research Repository · doi:10.25959/23241731
White, M., Williams‐Whitt, K., Wagner, S. L., Schultz, I. Z., Dionne, C. E., Pomaki, G., Loughlin, C. A., Tjulin, Å., Runt, M., Gilbert, M., et al. (2020) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Gallego, S. C., & Ramírez, M. A. G. (2022) · Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana · doi:10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.9910
Developing a prognostic model for stress reduction in patients with prolonged work‐related stress
Jensen, J. H., Rugulies, R., Flachs, E. M., Petersen, K. U., Ross, L., Eller, N. H., & Khoury, B. (2023) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3329
Gam, N., & Gqweta, N. (2024) · South African Radiographer · doi:10.54450/saradio.2024.62.1.821
Effect of Cognitive Behavioural Stress Management on Return-to-Work Amongst Sick-Listed Employees
Bond, C. B., Willert, M. V., Ditlevsen, D. N., Sandal, L. F., & Brandt, L. P. A. (2025) · Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation · doi:10.1007/s10926-025-10306-2
“Willert et al. observed a mean reduction of three sick leave weeks during the first 16 weeks [20].”
InfluentialSelf-citationEffectiveness of work ability interventions on productivity: a systematic review
Pasi, K., Eija, S., Immonen, M., Kangas, P., Rissanen, E., & Linnosmaa, I. (2025) · Journal of Occupational Health · doi:10.1093/joccuh/uiaf051
“Seven original studies 22,31,33,34,36,37,46 conducted subgroup analyses.”
InfluentialTran, T.-A., Ruppert, T., Eigner, G., & Abonyi, J. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0347030
“Some interventions have a lagged effect or take time to shape such as giving rewards [182] or job motivation [183], increasing stress endurance [184], whose effect is hard to measure and control, therefore, only interventions with shorter effect duration and aiming at “sustained attention” and…”
A pilot study of the Hopetimize program for pediatric oncology healthcare professionals
Rapoport, C. S., Corn, B. W., Corn, P. D., Choi, A. K., O’Donnell, S., Manasseh, M., Malcarne, V. L., & Kuo, D. J. (2026) · JNCI Cancer Spectrum · doi:10.1093/jncics/pkag060
“35-40 While the pre-dominance of women in the current study aligns with the work of previous investigators, the generalizability of our findings is limited by gender.”
- Authors
- Willert, M. V., Thulstrup, A. M., & Bonde, J. P.
- Affiliations
- Aarhus University Hospital (DK)
- Frederiksberg Hospital (DK)
- Venue
- Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
- Published
- 2010-11-08
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 186-195
- ISSN
- 0355-3140 (ISSN-L)
- 1795-990X
- OpenAlex
- W2117863160
- Cited by
- 66
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 6.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Aarhus Universitet
- Aarhus Universitetshospital
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- stress management interventions, occupational stress, absenteeism, sick leave, return to work, work ability
- MeSH terms
- Absenteeism, Adult, Denmark, Employment, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Male, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological, Waiting Lists, Work, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Databases, Factual, Sick Leave, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
