Hange D, et al. – This research analyzed the effects of internet–based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) treatment for depression compared to treatment–as–usual (TAU) on improving work ability and quality of life in patients with mild–to–moderate depression. This study also ascertained if patients treated with ICBT returned to work more rapidly, with fewer days of sick leave, than patients treated with TAU. A high level of work ability was related to a high health–related quality of life in patients with mild–to–moderate depression, whether they were treated with ICBT or TAU. ICBT was found to be cost–effective and served as a good alternative to TAU. Along with ICBT, an intervention oriented toward the work place could lead to an improvement in the work ability and could reduce the number of sick leave days among patients with depression.

Methods

• This analysis was based on material obtained from the PRIM-NET RCT that took place between 2010 and 2013.
• It was carried out in the primary care centers in Region Vastra Gotaland, Sweden, population about 1.6 million.
• 77 patients with depression were randomized to either ICBT (46 patients) or TAU (31 patients).
• Mean age of enrollees was 35.8 years, and 67.5% were women.
• The main measure was the work ability being estimated with the Work Ability Index, depressive symptoms with Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale - self-rating version (MADRS-S), quality of life with EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D), and number of sick leave days.

Results

• A link was noticed in both the groups between improved work ability and reduction of depressive symptoms and between improved work ability and better quality of life.
• ICBT did not improve the work ability more than TAU among patients with mild-to-moderate depression.
• No variations were found between the groups concerning number of patients with sick leave or number of sick leave days.