Comprehensive approach to reintegration of disability benefit recipients with multiple problems (CARm) into the labour market: results of a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: Although most clients on work disability benefits face multiple problems, most traditional interventions for (re)integration focus on a single problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the "Comprehensive Approach to Reintegrate clients with multiple problems" (CARm), which provides a strategy for labour experts to build a relationship with each client in order to support clients in their needs and mobilize their social networks.

METHODS: This study is a stratified, two-armed, non-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT), with a 12-month follow-up period. Outcome measures were: having paid work, level of functioning, general health, quality of life, and social support.

RESULTS: We included a total of 207 clients in our study; 97 in the intervention group and 110 in the care as usual (CAU) group. The clients' mean age was 35.4 years (SD 12.8), 53.1% were female, and 179 (86.5%) reported multiple problems. We found the CARm intervention to have no significant effects superior to those of the CAU group on all outcomes.

CONCLUSION: As we found no superior effect of the CARm intervention compared to CAU, we cannot recommend widespread adoption of CARm. A process evaluation will give more insight into possible implementation failure of the intervention.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMost traditional interventions for (re)integration into the labour market are problem-centred, i.e., focusing on a single problem, and have limited effectiveness in persons with multiple problems.A strength-based intervention may be suitable for vocational rehabilitation and disability settings, since it contains many elements (e.g., being strength-based, focused on clients' wishes and goals, and involving activation of the social environment) also likely to improve chances of re-employment of persons with multiple problems.In this study a strength-based intervention did not show a superior effect on paid employment and functioning within one year follow-up compared to care as usual in people with multiple problems on a work disability benefit.