Work-focused cognitive behavioral therapy plus individual job support,
does it really help with Maintained or restored work participation at 12 months in adults with anxiety or depression?
research showsThe grade is B with 76 points. Maintained or increased work participation at 12 months was 44.2% versus 37.2%; unadjusted difference 6.9 points, P=.015, and prespecified covariate-adjusted marginal effect +6.2 points (95% CI +0.5 to +11.8).
ads claimThis evidence concerns a combined work-focused CBT and individual job-support service in Norway. Verdict 2944 is B with 72 points for a different physiotherapist vocational-advice model: /verdicts/joint-bone/swap-vocational-advice-musculoskeletal-work-absence/.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- The 12-month primary outcome came from national registers.
- Primary-outcome loss to follow-up was 0/1,193.
- An 18-month difference was reported, but long-term full-cohort superiority was not established.
What the research actually shows
Six Norwegian centers randomized 1,193 participants, 630 versus 563. The Ministries of Health and Labour fully funded the program through the National Strategy on Work and Mental Health, and NAV operated the centers. Axis 6 B0 evidence ① Allocation concealment: "The randomisation was performed by an independent researcher who had no contact with participants or personnel at the centres." ② Masking: "Register-based outcomes were objectively ascertained." Participant masking was impossible for psychotherapy, but the endpoint came from national registers. ③ Analysis set and missing data: "There was no loss to follow-up for register-based outcomes." ④ Prespecified primary outcome: "The primary outcome was objectively ascertained work participation at 12 months follow-up." — consistent with NCT01146730
Why this is classified as B (76)
A large publicly funded randomized trial found benefit on an objective real-work event with complete register follow-up, giving B with 76 points; only one independent confirmatory trial exists.
Counterpoint. People at high suicide risk or with severe mental illness or active substance use were excluded.
Rejudgment record. Cross-check applied — A large publicly funded RCT found improved 12-month register-confirmed work participation with complete follow-up
| Endpoint | H | Hard endpoint - actual events such as death |
| Replication | R1 | Single confirmatory trial |
| Independence | I2 | Decisive evidence is publicly or non-profit funded |
| Effect size | E+ | Meets the clinically important threshold |
The scoring table and the verdict agree (B).
Sub-claim grades by effect
This ingredient is marketed for several effects. A single overall grade blends strong and weak claims together, so each effect is graded separately here. The overall grade reflects the strongest disconfirming or core claim.
| Effect (sub-claim) | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Maintained or restored work participation at 12 months | B | Register-based adjusted difference +6.2 points |
| Durable benefit in the full cohort | D | Null full-cohort extension over 10 to 46 months |
Cross-check — AI research and Codex final gate
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study 1 | Pragmatic multicenter randomized trial | 1,193 | Fully funded by Norwegian Ministries of Health and Labour | Objectively ascertained work participation at 12 months | 44.2% vs 37.2%; adjusted +6.2 points (95% CI +0.5 to +11.8) | Pivotal hard-outcome evidence; long-term report is the same trial |
Receipt — 3 References
All 3 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-08-26).
Final verification and publication gate: Codex · Verification cutoff: 2026-08-26 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Benefit of Work-Focused CBT and Job Support for 12-Month Work Participation — Evidence Grade B·76. 3 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/mood/work-focused-cbt-job-support-work-participation/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
What this document does and does not do
Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.