NCT07034040

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 298 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Norwegian University of Science and Technology · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 59 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of an intervention, SmaRTWork, on return to work compared to usual care for individuals who are sick-listed due to musculoskeletal disorders. Potential participants are individuals of working age (20-59 years) sick-listed due to a musculoskeletal disorder (neck pain, low back pain, or widespread pain) for up to 12 weeks living in Norway. The primary outcome will be time to sustainable return to work. We will also evaluate the effect on other work outcomes and health outcomes. We will also interview participants and stakeholders about their experience with the intervention.

Detailed description

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of SmaRTWork (intervention) on return to work (RTW) compared to usual care (comparator) for individuals sick-listed due to musculoskeletal disorders. The study is designed as a single-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel groups. Individuals of working age (20-59 years) sick-listed due to a musculoskeletal disorder (neck pain, low back pain, or widespread pain) for up to 12 weeks living in Norway are eligible for the study. Potential participants are identified and informed about the project by their general practitioner. We plan to include a total of 298 participants in the trial (and 15-20 in a pilot, giving a total of 318). The primary outcome will be time to sustainable RTW, i.e., one month without receiving sickness benefits, during the 12 months of follow-up based on registry data. Secondary outcomes include other work outcomes and health outcomes. Along with the RCT we will also conduct qualitative studies and a process evaluation. If the SmaRTWork turns out to be effective on RTW, we will also perform a health economic evaluation.

Conditions

• Sick Leave
• Musculoskeletal

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	SmaRTWork	The SmaRTWork app provides weekly individually tailored self-management plans by matching the participant's health information and sick leave status with targeted educational messages, physical activity advice, and exercise recommendations. In addition, participants with specific problems regarding i) work accommodations, ii) workplace conflicts, iii) large responsibilities as caregivers, iv) financial problems, or v) who do not think they will return to the old workplace are offered to be set in contact with a caseworker at the social insurance office. The intervention is given in addition to usual care.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2028-12-01
• Completion: 2028-12-01
• First posted: 2025-06-24
• Last updated: 2026-01-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Norway