AtWork: The Relation Between Cognitive Functioning, Common Mental Disorders and Work Functioning

NCT07349550 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AtWork
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Depression and anxiety affects levels of function across different levels like work, increasing levels of sick leave and as well as cognitive functioning. In the current study patients at risk of sick leave with depression and anxiety receive metacognitive therapy and work focus in an ordinary outpatient clinic. Impaired cognitive functioning may also be of importance in the return to work process and degree of sick leave. It is important to get a better understanding of how cognitive functioning is related to sick leave and if it predicts return to work, and if cognitive functioning is changed due to psychological treatment.

Conditions

Depression - Major Depressive Disorder; Anxiety

Keywords

Metacognitive therapy; Work focus; Depression; Anxiety; Sick leave

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

  Measure of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) range 0-27 higher scores indicate higher degree of depressive symptoms

  Measured at pre-treatment and at therapy completion, an average of 10 weekly sessions, and at 6, 12 months follow-up

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)

  Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) range 0-21 higher scores indicating higher degree of anxiety symptoms

  Measured at pre-treatment and at therapy completion, an average of 10 weekly sessions, and at 6, 12 months follow-up

• Changes in sick leave

  Sick leave is collected from national register data measured in number of days of sick leave.

  Measured at pre-treatment and at therapy completion, an average of 10 weekly sessions, and at 6, 12 months follow-up

Study Arms (1)

Patients referred with depression and/or anxiety and at risk of sick leave

Patients referred with depression and/or anxiety and at risk of sick leave

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients referred with depression and/or anxiety disorders at risk of sick leave.

You may qualify if:

• diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety,
• at risk of sick leave

You may not qualify if:

• personality disorders cluster A or B,
• ongoing substance abuse,
• symptoms of psychosis,
• acute suicidality,
• serious somatic disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology: lead
• The Research Council of Norway: collaborator
• Diakonhjemmet Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Diakonhjemmet hospital

Oslo, Norway

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Odin Hjemdal, PhD

CONTACT

+4773597889; odin.hjemdal@ntnu.no

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2025
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2032
• Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NO (1)