Title
The effect of a cognitive and a physical stress-reducing programme on psychological complaints
Author
van Rhenen, W.
Blonk, R.W.B.
van der Klink, J.J.
van Dijk, F.J.
Schaufeli, W.B.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2005
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of two, brief, preventive, work stress management programmes. One programme was a cognition-focused programme, the other was a newly developed intervention in which physical exercise and relaxation were combined. It was hypothesised that the newly developed intervention would be more effective in reducing psychological complaints than the cognitive intervention. Both programmes consisted of four sessions in a period of 10 weeks. Methods: From a working population engaged in a periodic health check-up, employees above a minimum stress level (n = 396) were invited to participate in a randomised comparative outcome study with pre-trial, post-trial and 6-month follow-up measures. After giving informed consent 130 participants entered the study (response rate 33%). Outcome measures consisted of three self-reported questionnaires on psychological complaints. Results: It was found that both interventions revealed a positive impact on psychological complaints, burnout and fatigue, both at short-term and at 6-month follow-up. No statistical interaction effects between the two interventions were found. Calculation of the clinical significance of the effects indicated that 50% of the employees with psychological complaints who participated in the physical intervention and 60% of the employees who participated in the cognitive intervention improved and returned to functioning within normal range both in the short term and in the long term at 6 months. Conclusion: The data indicate that interventions were equally effective on psychological complaints, burnout and fatigue. © Springer-Verlag 2005.
Subject
Workplace
Arbeidsparticipatie
Behavioural
Clinical significance
Cognitive
Combined intervention
Physical
Relaxation
Stress management
Anxiety disorder
Burnout
Clinical trial
Cognition
Comparative study
Controlled clinical trial
Controlled study
Correlation analysis
Crisis intervention
Depression
Distress syndrome
Follow up
Health program
Long term care
Major clinical study
Multivariate analysis of variance
Netherlands
Occupational health
Outcomes research
Periodic medical examination
Physical stress
Psychotherapy
Self report
Short course therapy
Somatization
Statistical significance
Telecommunication
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Burnout, Professional
Cognitive Therapy
Exercise
Fatigue
Female
Humans
Job Satisfaction
Male
Middle Aged
Questionnaires
Relaxation Techniques
Stress, Psychological
Workplace
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1166422a-6da2-454d-a7d3-5d791d1f83b5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0566-6
TNO identifier
238355
ISSN
0340-0131
Source
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 78 (2), 139-148
Document type
article