Workplace Factors Associated With Return to Work After Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
Fure, Silje Christine Reistad; Howe, Emilie; Andelic, Nada; Brunborg, Cathrine; Olsen, Alexander; Rike, Per-Ola; Spjelkavik, Øystein; Enehaug, Heidi; Røe, Cecilie; Løvstad, Marianne
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Published version
Date
2022Metadata
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- Institutt for psykologi [3107]
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- St. Olavs hospital [2536]
Abstract
Abstract Objective: Sociodemographic and injury-related predictors for return to work (RTW) after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been extensively explored. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding work-related predictors of RTW. The main aim of this study was to explore work-related predictors of work participation 6 and 12 months after mild-to-moderate TBI. Setting: Data were collected at baseline 8 to 12 weeks after injury, and 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline, at a specialized TBI rehabilitation outpatient clinic at Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Participants: Eligible patients had suffered a mild-to-moderate TBI 8 to 12 weeks previously, were employed 50% or more at time of injury, were between 18 and 60 years of age, and sick listed 50% or more at time of inclusion due to symptoms of TBI (based on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire). In total, 116 patients were included in a randomized controlled trial, of whom 113 were included in the 1-year analysis. Design: Patients were originally included in a randomized controlled trial. There were no between-group differences in RTW after 1 year. Thus, the participants were evaluated as one cohort in this study. Main measures: The primary outcome measure was work participation 1 year after study inclusion. Work-related predictors were chosen on the basis of previous research and expert opinion and entered into a multivariable linear regression model. The model controlled for sociodemographic and injury-related factors. Results: The best-fitting model explained 25% of variation in work participation at 1 year. Significant predictors were predictability, quantitative demands and rewards (recognition) at the workplace, private or public employment, symptom burden at baseline, and sex. Conclusion: In this study, several work-related predictors outperformed some of the established sociodemographic and injury-related predictors of RTW after TBI, thus stressing the need for further focus and research on amendable predictors of RTW after mild-to-moderate TBI.