Long-term effects of early versus delayed vocational rehabilitation--a four-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether early vocational rehabilitation is more effective than rehabilitation initiated at a later stage.


METHODS
The study was based on a sample of 612 individuals on long-term sick leave (90 days or more) who had received vocational rehabilitation. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate whether time before start of rehabilitation was associated with the outcome.


RESULTS
The study supports the hypothesis that early interventions are more effective than late, but only for women, and more so for the younger woman than for the older.
Marnetoft
S-U
SU
Centre for Studies of National Social Insurance, Mid-Sweden University, SE-831 25 Ostersund, Sweden. svenuno.marnetoft@mh.se
Selander
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors