Article

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new intervention
to improve work participation of young adults with physical disabilities,
addressing (1) implementation and costs and (2) preliminary effectiveness.
METHOD: Twelve young adults with physical disabilities (six males, six females;
age 19-28 y, median age 21 y 6 mo) participated in a 1-year multidisciplinary
vocational rehabilitation intervention. In a pre-post intervention design, we
assessed implementation and costs as well as preliminary effectiveness in terms
of employment and occupational performance using questionnaires and interviews.
We tested pre-post differences with the McNemar test for proportions and the
Wilcoxon signed-rank test for scores on occupational performance; p-values less
than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Additionally, we assessed
work participation at follow-up after 2 years and 3 years. RESULTS: The
intervention was implemented in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic for young
adults. The median cost per participant for 1 year was euro3128, which is an
equivalent to the cost of 72 contact hours per participant. Post intervention,
and at 2 years and 3 years follow-up, a significantly higher proportion of
participants were employed (8/12 post vs 2/12 pre-intervention; p<0.05), with the
ratio of those in paid to unpaid employment being 4:4, 5:3, and 7:1 respectively.
Participants showed improved occupational performance in work, self-care, and
leisure. INTERPRETATION: Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the
intervention are promising. Employed participants seemed to have achieved
suitable and continuous employment.
CI - (c) 2013 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS