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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Mood Disorders | Research article

Standardized multimodal intervention for stress-induced exhaustion disorder: an open trial in a clinical setting

Authors: Jakob Clason van de Leur, Monica Buhrman, Fredrik Åhs, Alexander Rozental, Gunilla Brodda Jansen

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Long-term sick-leave due to stress-related ill-health is increasing in several economically developed countries. Even though different forms of interventions are administered in regular care for stress-related disorders, such as Stress-induced Exhaustion disorder (SED), the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of such treatments is sparse. The objective of this study was to explore changes in SED-symptoms and return-to-work-rates in a large group of SED-patients participating in a standardized Multimodal intervention (MMI) in a clinical setting.

Method

This open clinical trial tracked 390 patients who fulfilled the criteria for SED undergoing a 24-week MMI, including return-to-work-strategies. Before inclusion, all patients underwent a multi-professional assessment by a team of licensed physicians, licensed psychologists, and licensed physiotherapists. Self-rated questionnaires were administered before treatment, at treatment-start, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 12-month follow-up. Within-group change was evaluated over time with mixed-effects models. Beyond different symptoms, working time, sick-leave compensation, and adverse effects were also measured.

Results

There were significant improvements in symptoms of SED, burnout, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, with large within-group effect sizes (d = 0.91–1.76), improvements that were maintained at 12-month follow-up. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in quality of life and large improvements in average working time and sick-leave compensation. Some adverse effects were reported, mainly concerning an increase in stress, anxiety, and worry.

Conclusion

SED-patients participating in this standardized MMI reported large symptom alleviation, increased working time and reduced sick-leave compensation, indicating a beneficial treatment. There were some adverse effects, but no more so than other psychological treatments. This study confirms previous findings that high levels of depression and anxiety decrease to sub-clinical levels during treatment, while symptoms of SED also decline, yet still persists above sub-clinical levels at 12-month follow-up. On the whole, this open clinical trial suggests that a standardized MMI, administered in a clinical setting, improves symptoms and return-to-work rates in a clinically representative SED-population.

Trial registration

This study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov 2017.12.02 (Identifier: NCT03360136).

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Title: Standardized multimodal intervention for stress-induced exhaustion disorder: an open trial in a clinical setting
Authors: Jakob Clason van de Leur
Monica Buhrman
Fredrik Åhs
Alexander Rozental
Gunilla Brodda Jansen
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Burnout Syndrome
Anxiety
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02907-3

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Standardized multimodal intervention for stress-induced exhaustion disorder: an open trial in a clinical setting

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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