A Behavioral Intervention to Improve Work Outcomes

Mental Disorders Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Behavioral Intervention to Improve Outcomes in VA Work Programs

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00333658
• Other study ID #: D3108R
• Secondary ID: MDB0007
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: June 2, 2006
• Last updated: June 24, 2009
• Start date: December 2003
• Est. completion date: September 2008

Study information

• Verified date: June 2009
• Source: VA Office of Research and Development
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Federal Government
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This research has been designed to learn whether getting regular and specific feedback about work performance with small rewards for meeting goals helps people to improve their job performance and leads to better work outcomes, improved mental functioning, and better quality of life

Description:

This study is designed to test whether systematic work performance feedback with weekly goal setting, combined with small rewards given for goal achievement, leads to improved vocational, health, and quality of life outcomes for veterans enrolled in the various work service programs at this medical center. The long-term goal of this project is to determine the effectiveness of these interventions at this medical center and to use this experience for a multi-site cooperative study proposal.

Research Design and Methods: One hundred and fifty subjects accepted into work services at this medical center will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Work Feedback with Small Rewards, or Usual Services. In the Work Feedback with Small Rewards condition, participants attend a weekly workers meeting where they receive specific feedback based upon the Work Behavior Inventory and set weekly goals. They also receive small rewards for goal achievement that equal $10 per month. Participants in the Usual Services condition do not get specific work feedback but receive all the usual work services normally provided. They also receive $10 per month for active participation. Assessments include baseline evaluations of mental and physical health, social function, cognitive function, and quality of life. Evaluations of mental health, quality of life, and job satisfaction will occur at two months and four months. Six-month and twelve month evaluations will repeat the baseline assessment. Outcome measures will include biweekly work performance assessments, vocational outcomes, mental and physical health status, social and cognitive function, and quality of life

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 57
• Est. completion date: September 2008
• Est. primary completion date: October 2007
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veterans participating in a work program at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System; English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• No exclusion criteria based upon diagnosis, although VA work programs have pre-existing requirements such as a demonstrated need for services, a referral from a clinician, and an interest in work rehabilitation

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Mental Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Goal setting and work feedback group
Goal setting and feedback using WBI

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	VA Connecticut Health Care System (West Haven)	West Haven	Connecticut

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
VA Office of Research and Development

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (3)

Bell MD, Bryson G. Work rehabilitation in schizophrenia: does cognitive impairment limit improvement? Schizophr Bull. 2001;27(2):269-79. — View Citation

Bell MD, Fiszdon JM, Greig TC, Bryson GJ. Can older people with schizophrenia benefit from work rehabilitation? J Nerv Ment Dis. 2005 May;193(5):293-301. — View Citation

Bryson G, Bell MD. Initial and final work performance in schizophrenia: cognitive and symptom predictors. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2003 Feb;191(2):87-92. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Competitive employment-		6 month and 12 month follow-up	No