Work-Able Solutions: An occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation service

ISRCTN	ISRCTN18283009
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN18283009
Sponsor	National Clinical Programme for Rheumatology
Funder	HSE Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund (SIIF) 2022 — Grant ID 951462U_81

Submission date: 05/10/2026
Registration date: 05/10/2026
Last edited: 05/10/2026

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Musculoskeletal Diseases

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Yvonne Codd
Principal investigator, Public, Scientific

Trinity College Dublin
Dublin
D08 W9RT
Ireland

ORCID ID	0000-0003-2824-2880
Phone	+353 18983813
Email	coddy@tcd.ie

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	N/A: single arm study
Masking	Open (masking not used)
Control	Uncontrolled
Assignment	Single
Purpose	Health services research, Treatment
Scientific title	Work-Able Solutions, an occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation service, for improving work participation, work role functioning and health outcomes among working-age adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders: a prospective pre-post study
Study objectives
Ethics approval(s)	1. Approved 21/09/2023, SVHG Research Ethics Committee (St Vincent's Universtiy Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland, Dublin, D04 T6F4, Ireland; +353 12214000; no email provided), ref: RS23-059 2. Approved 13/10/2023, Naas General Hospital Research Ethics Committee (Naas General Hospital, Naas, Co. Kildare, Naas, W91AE76, Ireland; +353 45849500; no email provided), ref: Work-Able Solutions: An Integrated Care Pilot of an Occupational Therapy Vocational Rehabilitation Service 3. Approved 22/11/2023, HSE South East Research Ethics Committee (University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Waterford, X91 ER8E, Ireland; no telephone number provided; no email provided), ref: Re: “Work-Able Solutions: An Integrated Care Pilot of an Occupational Therapy Vocational Rehabilitation Service
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders in working-age adults experiencing difficulties or concerns related to work
Intervention	Work-Able Solutions is an individualised occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation service for adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders experiencing difficulties or concerns related to work. The intervention begins with an approximately two-hour occupational therapy assessment, followed by up to four individual sessions tailored to the participant's work-related needs. Sessions may be delivered face-to-face, virtually or in the workplace and address factors affecting work participation, including symptom and condition management, work-related problem solving, self-management, communication and self-advocacy, workplace accommodations and return-to-work planning. Follow up for 3 months.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	Work status measured using self report binary yes/no question at pre-intervention, post-intervention, 3-months follow-up Illness benefit usage measured using self report binary yes/no question at pre-intervention, post-intervention, 3-months follow-up
Key secondary outcome measure(s)
Completion date	30/06/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Mixed
Lower age limit	18 Years
Upper age limit	120 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	282
Total final enrolment	283
Key inclusion criteria	1. Working-age adult aged 18 years or older; there was no upper age limit 2.Confirmed diagnosis of a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorder 3. Presented to hospital rheumatology or primary care services 4. Either in paid employment or receiving illness-related social welfare payments for six months or less 5. Self-reported difficulties or concerns related to work 6. Provided written informed consent for inclusion of outcome data in the research evaluation
Key exclusion criteria	1. No confirmed diagnosis of a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorder 2. Not currently employed 3. Absent from work for more than six months 4. An ongoing medico-legal case 5. No self-reported difficulties or concerns related to work
Date of first enrolment	21/09/2023
Date of final enrolment	31/03/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Ireland

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No

Editorial Notes

05/10/2026: Trial's existence confirmed by SVHG Research Ethics Committee.