Impact of a Work-Focused Intervention on the Productivity and Symptoms of Employees With Depression

Objective: To test a new program's effectiveness in reducing depression's work burden. Methods: A brief telephonic program to improve work functioning was tested in an early-stage randomized controlled trial involving 79 Maine State Government employees who were screened in for depression and at-work limitations (treatment group = 59; usual care group = 27). Group differences in baseline to follow-up change scores on the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), WLQ Absence Module, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 depression severity scale were tested with analysis of covariance. Results: Although there were no baseline group differences (P >= 0.05), by follow-up, the treatment group had significantly better scores on every outcome and differences in the longitudinal changes were all statistically significant (P = 0.0.27 to 0.0001). Conclusions: The new program was superior to usual care. The estimated productivity cost savings is $6041.70 per participant annually.