What knowledge and initiatives are applied by Danish employers when supporting employees with persistent post-concussion symptoms in returning to work and maintaining attachment to labour market?

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Concussion is one of the most frequently used neurological diagnoses in the Danish healthcare system and constitute more than 90 % of all head traumas. It is estimated that approximately 25,000 patients yearly become diagnosed with concussion in Denmark but this is likely underestimated since some patients do not seek medical assistance after concussion.
Most patients experience spontaneous recovery within the first 2-3 weeks , but up to 40 % develop persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) such as headache, dizziness, vision problems, sleep problems, fatigue, concentration and memory difficulties, emotional problems etc. lasting beyond the natural recovery period. While some recover during the first months, approximately 35 % will continue to have symptoms 3 to 6 months or more after the trauma, including post traumatic psychological reactions such as anxiety, stress and depression. The PPCS have a long lasting effect on labor market attachment and employees with PPCS may therefore need support to stay employed. A Danish study shows that 43 % of employees with PPCS loose their connection to the labour market 5 years after the trauma and that 19 % receive welfare payments indicating reduced working capability. Furthermore, 5 % end up leaving labor marked altogether by receiving health-related early retirement pension.
The aim of this study is therefore to gather knowledge on which work-associated initiatives are presently used by Danish employers in order to support return to work of employees with PPCS. Secondly, we aim to map the needs of the employers regarding their knowledge about PPCS in order to provide support for successful work reintegration and work maintanances in employees PPCS.
The results from the survey will inform the content of an information folder targeting employers regarding how to create the best circumstances for employees with PPCS during the return-to-work process.

Who can participate?
Employees aged 18 - 65 years with PPCS lasting more than 4 weeks, who have experienced return to work within the last 12 months. It is furthermore required that the participants have been gainfully employed under regular conditions at the moment of head trauma.

What does the study involve?
The study is a national survey design where the participants and their employer complete the survey from home. The participants complete one survey (at the start of the study), and the employer completes two surveys: one about the return of the employee to the workplace some months after the employee has been enrolled in the study (1st follow-up) and one about maintaining the affiliation with the workplace 4 to 5 months after first follow-up (2nd follow-up).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The participants will not experience a direct benefit from participating, but they will contribute to the improvement of conditions of future PPCS employees. There are no direct risks associated with study participation.

Where is the study run from?
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2021 to February 2023

Who is funding the study?
Velliv Foreningen (Denmark)

Who is the main contact?
Hana Mala Rytter, hana.mala@psy.ku.dk

Contact information

Miss Hana Rytter
Principal Investigator

Center for Hjernerystelse
Amagerfælledvej 56A
Copenhagen
2300
Denmark

ORCID ID	0000-0002-2910-372X
Phone	+45 21651533
Email	hana.mala@psy.ku.dk

Miss Irene Conradsen
Public

Amagerfælledvej 56 A
København S
2300
Denmark

Phone	+45 51430312
Email	irene.conradsen@cfh.ku.dk

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• Denmark

Study participating centres

Sponsor information

University of Copenhagen
University/education

Institut of Psychology
Øster Farimagsgade 2A
Copenhagen
1353
Denmark

Phone	+45 21651533
Email	christina.molin@samf.ku.dk
Website	https://psy.ku.dk/
"ROR"	https://ror.org/035b05819

Danish Center for Concussion
Research organisation

Amagerfælledvej 56A
Copenhagen
2300
Denmark

Phone	+45 51430312
Email	irene.conradsen@cfh.ku.dk
Website	www.dfch.dk

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Additional files

ISRCTN12846389_PROTOCOL.pdf

Editorial Notes

16/08/2023: The following changes have been made and the plain English summary updated accordingly:
1. The overall study end date has been changed from 30/11/2022 to 01/02/2023.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 20/08/2023 to 01/12/2024.
27/04/2023: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The intention to publish date was changed from 20/02/2023 to 20/08/2023.
2. The total final enrolment was changed from 160 to 92. (Employees: 92; Employers: 66 in the first follow-up; Employers: 52 in the second follow-up)
04/01/2023: Protocol uploaded (not peer reviewed).
13/09/2022: The recruitment end date was changed from 30/08/2022 to 06/09/2022. Total final enrolment added.
08/04/2022: Trial’s existence confirmed by Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen.