The Effectiveness of a Functional Capacity Evaluation Among Persons on Sick Leave or Work Disability

Launched by KU LEUVEN · Nov 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effectiveness of a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) for people who are on sick leave or have a work disability. The FCE is a test that helps assess a person's ability to perform work-related tasks. The trial's main goals are to understand how the FCE affects the individual’s chances of returning to work and how it helps medical advisors make better decisions about their patients' work capabilities. Researchers will compare two groups: one group will receive the usual care from their medical advisor, while the other group will receive the usual care plus the FCE. Both groups will fill out questionnaires at the beginning and then again at 3, 6, and 9 months to track their progress.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 18 and 65 years old and currently on sick leave or work disability due to a stable illness or injury (meaning their condition isn't expected to change significantly). They should not have a primarily mental health issue and should have been unable to work for at least six months. Participants can expect to receive support and possibly new insights into their work capabilities, helping them on their journey to return to work. It's important to note that the trial is currently recruiting participants, and those interested should check with their medical advisor to see if they qualify.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • persons on sick leave or work disability (according to Belgian law)
• • The person on sick leave/work disability is affected by an illness/injury that is considered stabilized (no significant medical evolution of the disease, nor a medical procedure or acute treatment is expected).
• • The illness/injury of the person on sick leave/work disability is not mainly a mental/psychiatric disorder.
• • From the point of view of the medical advisor, there is a lack of consistent information on the person on sick leave/work disability's capacity to return-to-work.
• • Inclusion takes place from the 6th month of incapacity for work.
• • The person on sick leave/work disability is of working age (18-65).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • In the case of an accident at workplace, the medical condition of the person on sick leave/work disability has not yet been declared consolidated, meaning that the condition does not progress significantly, either naturally or with treatment.
• • The medical advisor of the mutual health insurance is expecting in the near future: 1) a spontaneous return to work (total or partial), 2) a registration as a job-seeker, or 3) an end of the recognition of the work disability.
• • The person on sick leave/work disability is pregnant.
• • The medical advisor of the mutual health insurance perceives the person on sick leave/work disability does not have sufficient work capacity.