The Effect of IPS-MA- A Modified Early Supported Employment Intervention for Individuals With Mood or Anxiety Disorders

IPS-MA - A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Effect of a Modified IPS Intervention in Addition to Treatment as Usual Versus Treatment as Usual Alone for Individuals With Mood or Anxiety Disorders

The aim of the present study, is to evaluate the effect of a supported employment intervention, IPS-modified for people with mood and anxiety (IPS-MA) on employment or education, when offered to people with onset mood or anxiety disorders who are not likely to be able to return to work within three month.

The hypothesis is that the IPS-MA method is associated with a shorter recovery period and more people returning to work or education, compared to treatment as usual.

Background: The IPS-MA method is a modified Individual Placement and Support (IPS) intervention, aiming at supporting people with mood or anxiety disorders regain their workability and return to work or education. Previous studies have showed, that IPS has an effect on employment when offered to people with severe mental illness. Further studies are crucial to demonstrate whether the modified IPS, the IPS-MA method, has an effect when offered to people with mood or anxiety disorders who are not yet chronified.

Methods/design:The trial design is a randomized, assessor-blinded, clinical trial of the IPS-MA method in addition to treatment as usual compared to treatment as usual alone for 326 participants diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder, living in the Capital Region of Denmark. The primary outcome is competitive employment or education. Secondary outcomes are days of competitive employment or education, disease symptoms, level of functioning, and quality of life at follow-up 12 and 24 months after baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed following the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria of affective disorder (F30-39) or anxiety disorder (F40-41)
• Not able to work within 3 months
• Associated with the Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Hillerød, Hvidovre or Ballerup
• Only having had contact to the Mental Health services during the past 3 years
• Having had competitive employment or attending a study within the past two years.
• Has returning to work or education as an important goal
• Under the age of 60
• Able to speak, read and understand danish
• Has given informed consent verbally and in writing

Exclusion Criteria:

• A somatic disease that effects the workability
• Substance og alcohol abuse
• have a guardian or a forensic psychiatric arrangement
• not given informed consent