SmaRTWork - a Decision Support System to Promote Return to Work Among People Sick-listed With Musculoskeletal Disorders

Launched by NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Jun 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study, called SmaRTWork, is looking at a new way to help people who are off work because of muscle or joint pain—like neck pain, back pain, or widespread aches—get back to their jobs more quickly and in a lasting way. The study will compare this new approach, which uses a special decision support system (an app that helps guide care), to the usual care people receive. The main goal is to see if this method helps people return to work sooner and stay at work. Researchers will also check how it affects other work-related and health outcomes and will talk with participants about their experiences.

To take part, you need to be between 20 and 59 years old, live in Norway, and currently off work due to muscle or joint pain for up to 12 weeks. You also need a smartphone with internet access to use the app. People who are pregnant, don’t have an employer, have serious health issues, or have certain symptoms that might indicate a more serious problem won’t be able to join. If you qualify and join, you can expect to use the SmaRTWork app as part of your care and share your thoughts about how it works for you. This study is not yet recruiting participants but aims to find better ways to support people like you in returning to work after musculoskeletal pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals 20-59 years old (working age)
• • Living in Norway
• • Sick-listed due to a musculoskeletal disorder for up to 12 weeks
• • Musculoskeletal complaints are the main reason for sick leave.
• * The main diagnosis for sick leave is unspecific pain, for example one of the following (ICPC-2 diagnoses codes):
• • Neck symptom/complaint (L01)
• • Back symptom/complaint (L02)
• • Low back symptom/complaint (L03)
• • Muscle pain (L18)
• • Back syndrome without radiating pain (L84)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Do not have a smartphone with internet access (i.e., to be able to download and access the SmaRTWork app).
• • Pregnant
• • No employer (unemployed or self-employed)
• • Poor Norwegian comprehension
• • Sick listed for more than 3 months the last year
• • Have a planned date for RTW during the next week
• • Have previously participated in the study or currently participating in other studies
• • Unable to take part in exercise/physical activity (e.g., use of walking aids, unable to get up and down on the floor independently)
• • Leg pain worse than back pain
• * Red flags that could indicate serious underlying pathology:
• • Changes in bladder or bowel function
• • General feeling of being unwell (malaise), fever and/or unexplained weight loss
• • Reduced muscle (motor) function, sensory loss, walking problems or balance problems
• • Neck or back pain that started after the age of 55 or feel different from previous pain episodes
• • Pain that does not improve with rest or light activity or pain that is much worse during the night
• • Previous or ongoing cancer
• • Use of steroids/immune suppressing medications or drug use
• • Pain that is trauma (injury) related
• • Serious ongoing somatic (e.g., unstable heart disease) or mental disorder (e.g., psychosis, ongoing manic episode, suicidal ideation) that prevents participation
• • Pain has not been assessed by a physician