Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a four-week primary prevention programme on
change in perceived health among employees at increased risk of incapacity for work. DESIGN: A follow-up controlled study. Settings:
The data were collected
from survey responses and registered data on demographic, work and health
characteristics, and health-related behaviours.
SUBJECTS: Eight hundred and
seventy-two participants and their 2440 propensity score-matched controls.
INTERVENTION: Multidisciplinary preventive programme of physical training and
psychological education to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and to achieve greater
aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, as well as better
self-management of stress.
MAIN MEASURES: Psychological distress, anxiety and
suboptimal self-rated health. RESULTS: The prevalence of suboptimal self-rated
health, psychological distress and anxiety did not differ between the
participants and controls before the intervention (22.6% vs. 22.8%, 26.6% vs.
29.0%, and 33.0% vs. 33.8%, respectively). Similarly, after the intervention,
there were no group differences in the prevalence of self-rated health problems
at the time of the short-term (mean 1.7 years, up to 4.6 years) or long-term
(mean 5.8 years, up to 9.2 years) follow-up. Figures for prevalence of suboptimal
self-rated health, psychological distress and anxiety in participants and
controls at the time of the long-term follow-up were 33.8% vs. 28.9%, 25.1% vs.
24.9%, and 34.7% vs. 33.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No beneficial effects on
perceived health were observed for a four-week primary prevention programme
widely used in Finland to reduce early retirement on health grounds.

Langue : ANGLAIS