The Management of Work-Disability Associated With Co-Morbid Pain and Depression: A Feasibility Study

Risk-Targeted Behavioral Activation for the Management of Work-Disability Associated With Co-Morbid Pain and Depression: A Feasibility Study

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation the feasibility and impact of a risk-targeted behavioral activation intervention for work-disabled individuals with co-morbid pain and depression.

The design of the study was a single arm non-randomized trial. The sample consisted of 66 work-disabled individuals with co-morbid pain and depression. The treatment program consisted of a 10-week standardized behavioral activation intervention supplemented by techniques to target two psychosocial risk-factors for delayed recovery, namely, catastrophic thinking and perceptions of injustice.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) work-disability greater than 4 weeks associated with a musculoskeletal injury to the back or neck, 2) a score above clinical threshold on a self-report measure of depression, and 3) between 25 and 55 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1) Clinical evidence of vertebral fracture, disk herniation, infectious disease, or rheumatoid arthritis: 2) Evidence of chronic pain pre-dating the current injury: 3) Evidence of loss of consciousness at the time of injury: 4) Previous musculoskeletal injury sustained within the past 12 months: 5) Evidence of any medical condition that might contraindicate participation in physical activity: 6) Illiteracy or severe cognitive impairment.