Project data

Project name:	Medically-occupationally orientated rehabilitation for mental illnesses
Running time:	10/2019 - 03/2023
Funding code:
Project organiser:
Project management:	Prof Dr Matthias Bethge (University of Lübeck), Prof Dr med. habil. Markus Bassler
Employee:	Nina Gabriel (M.A.)
Project partners/consortium:	University of Lübeck
Funding amount:	Total: € 881,457 Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences: € 420,116 University of Lübeck: € 461,341
Third-party donors:	German Federal Pension Insurance

Summary of the project

Medically and vocationally orientated rehabilitation (MBOR) was developed to support the professional reintegration of people who are at high risk of failing. For musculoskeletal disorders, there is clear evidence (four randomised controlled trials) that these programmes improve the occupational participation of participants. The requirements profile for the implementation of MBOR was developed on the basis of these studies. This describes the target group on the one hand and the content and dose of the services to be provided on the other.

For mental illnesses, however, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of MBOR has so far been based on two randomised controlled trials that tested a very specific approach (external stress testing with accompanying therapeutic groups). There is no clear evidence of the effectiveness of MBOR implemented in real care practice on the basis of the requirement profile. The planned randomised controlled trial examines the effects of MBOR in comparison with conventional psychosomatic rehabilitation.

The primary target criterion of the study is stable employment after 12 months. Stable employment is defined as at least 4 weeks of employment without absences. The study is a multi-centre study. Included are 18- to 60-year-old rehabilitants for whom the need for MBOR is determined. The facilities assess the need by means of a standardised screening.

Medical-occupational rehabilitation (MBOR) has been developed and optimised in recent years to effectively support people with health impairments in finding their way back into everyday working life and participation in a healthy way or to redesign it. The evidence regarding its effectiveness in the field of psychosomatic rehabilitation has not yet been conclusive, as the few current studies have only examined a very specific area.

The aim of our three-year study is to further develop the approach and provide clear evidence of its effectiveness and implementation in the field of psychosomatic rehabilitation.

The randomised controlled study uses a mixed methods approach. The responsibility for the quantitative survey lies with our cooperating partner, the University of Lübeck. Our focus is on qualitative research. A total of 1500 patients from five German rehabilitation centres will be recruited for written surveys over the course of 15 months. We conduct interviews with volunteers from the pool of these rehabilitation patients and other members of the facilities.