Simple work advice may cut sick leave days, trial suggests

NCT ID NCT04543097

Disease control Sponsor: Keele University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This trial tests whether a short vocational advice program helps people on sick leave return to work sooner. Adults who have been off work for at least two weeks due to health issues receive support from a trained worker to identify barriers and plan their return. The study compares this added support against usual care alone, tracking work absence over six months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Vocational support (advice and planning)
What this could lead to: If effective, this approach could help people on sick leave return to work sooner, improving health and financial well-being.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention may not reduce time off work or be cost-effective.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

130 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Dec 2020

Finished

Jan 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years and over * currently in paid employment (full or part time) * current absence from work of at least two consecutive calendar weeks but not more than six continuous months * received a fit note * access to a mobile phone that can receive and respond to SMS text messages * able to read and write English * able to give full informed consent * willing to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * Long-term work absence defined as over six continuous months * pregnancy or on maternity leave * patients presenting with signs or symptoms indicative of serious illness requiring urgent medical attention ('red' flags) * severe mental health problems (e.g. severe depression with risk of self-harm, exacerbation of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, cognitive impairment or lack of capacity) * high vulnerability (e.g. palliative stages of illness, recent bereavement, dementia).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

mental disorder Musculoskeletal Pain psychiatric disorder Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Absence Mental health disorder Mental health issue Musculoskeletal pain Other physical health condition

Simple work advice may cut sick leave days, trial suggests

What the study statuses mean