The effect of the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) on cognitions and perceptions and on work participation of workers with a chronic disease in the Netherlands

Previous research indicated that cognitions and perceptions of workers with a chronic disease can limit their work participation. Examples of cognitions and perceptions that can influence work participation are catastrophizing thoughts, expectations regarding return to work, fear-avoidance beliefs and self-efficacy. The Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) is a Canadian intervention that is focused on changing limiting cognitions and perceptions and stimulating work participation of workers with a chronic disease. PGAP is effective in decreasing catastrophizing thoughts and fear-avoidance beliefs and increasing work participation in Canada and is successfully implemented in the United States, Australia and Africa. However, it is not yet available in the Netherlands and we do not know whether it is effective and feasible to implement it in the Netherlands. The aim of this randomized controlled study, with waiting-list design is to study whether PGAP is effective in changing cognitions and perceptions and increasing work participation of workers with a chronic disease in the Netherlands and to study whether implementing PGAP is feasible in the Netherlands. About thirty participants will be randomized in the intervention group and will participate in PGAP, which consists of a maximum of 10 weekly online sessions with a trained PGAP provider. During the sessions the participants learn about the importance of staying active, planning activities and setting goals. The also learn to be more aware of their cognitions and perceptions in challenging situations and how to cope with challenging situations. Before, during and after participating in the sessions the participants will complete questionnaires with questions about work participation (e.g. work status), catastrophizing thoughts, self-efficacy, workability, return to work expectations, fear-avoidance beliefs, perceived injustice and perceived disability. The effects of PGAP on changing limiting cognitions and perceptions and stimulating work participation will be analysed using General Linear Mixed Model analyses.

Participating in the Progressive Goal Attainment Program decreases limiting cognitions and perceptions and increases work participation of workers with a chronic disease in the Netherlands.

T0: screening 0 weeks, T1: 4 weeks, T2: 9 weeks, T3: 22 weeks

Progressive Goal Attainment Program