The WORKWELL programme: a randomized controlled trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis
Authors' conclusion
WORKWELL did not lead to improved work productivity compared with self-help advice.
Study context
- Population
- Employed adults with inflammatory arthritis experiencing moderate to severe work instability, 18 UK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts
- Participants
- 249 adults
- Comparison
- WORKWELL job retention vocational rehabilitation by occupational therapists vs written self-help advice
- Primary endpoint
- Work limitations (WLQ-25)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailspragmatic, multicentre, 1:1 randomisation, within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis (NHS perspective), Much of the trial was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Pragmatic
- Multicentre
- 1:1 randomisation
- Within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis (NHS perspective)
- Much of the trial was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
WLQ-25 (work limitations)
No significant difference in WLQ-25 between groups; adjusted mean difference
−1.8
95% CI −7.4–3.8P = 0.53
Secondary outcomes
Employment retention · 36 months
Most secondary outcomes · 12 or 36 months
- No significant difference between groups
Absenteeism · 12 months
- Relative reduction
- 46%
- P = 0.08
Cost-effectiveness (NHS perspective)
- Intervention not cost-effective
Original publication
The WORKWELL programme: a randomized controlled trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 17 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →