The clinical effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention in a work setting: a 5-year retrospective analysis of outcomes

Background The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as part of multidisciplinary occupational mental health interventions for people with long-term or recurrent short-term sickness absence from work (NICE, 2009). Despite this, there is a paucity of data for both randomised trials for CBT and literature that supports the transferability of CBT into occupational environments. Aims This service evaluation aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of CBT by analysing data from a partnership scheme between a local authority and a local heath board using a routine employee population. Methods A clinical cohort of 81 employees referred through the partnership scheme completed CBT over a 5-year period via a CBT nurse therapist. A sample of 76 employees was included in the evaluation who completed pre-/post-measures to establish outcome. Of these, 30 were followed up at a 3-year point, completing the same measures. Results Each of the clinical measures yielded significant outcomes at 95% confidence intervals, and large effect sizes using Cohen’s d both at post-test and follow-up. No significant difference was shown between post-treatment and follow-up outcomes. CBT was demonstrated to be clinically effective within an occupational mental health setting. Conclusions In conclusion, partnership schemes with a focus on mental health between public sector agencies can have a positive outcome for the funding agency as well as individual employees.