SmaRTWork - a Decision Support System to Promote Return to Work Among People Sick-listed With Mus… (NCT07034040) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
SmaRTWork - a Decision Support System to Promote Return to Work Among People Sick-listed With Musculoskeletal Disorders
Norway298 participantsStarted 2026-03
Plain-language summary
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of an intervention, SmaRTWork, on return to work compared to usual care for individuals who are sick-listed due to musculoskeletal disorders. Potential participants are individuals of working age (20-59 years) sick-listed due to a musculoskeletal disorder (neck pain, low back pain, or widespread pain) for up to 12 weeks living in Norway. The primary outcome will be time to sustainable return to work. We will also evaluate the effect on other work outcomes and health outcomes. We will also interview participants and stakeholders about their experience with the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 59 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Individuals 20-59 years old (working age)
* Living in Norway
* Sick-listed due to a musculoskeletal disorder for up to 12 weeks
* Musculoskeletal complaints are the main reason for sick leave.
* The main diagnosis for sick leave is unspecific pain, for example one of the following (ICPC-2 diagnoses codes):
* Neck symptom/complaint (L01)
* Back symptom/complaint (L02)
* Low back symptom/complaint (L03)
* Muscle pain (L18)
* Back syndrome without radiating pain (L84)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Do not have a smartphone with internet access (i.e., to be able to download and access the SmaRTWork app).
* Pregnant
* No employer (unemployed or self-employed)
* Poor Norwegian comprehension
* Sick listed for more than 3 months the last year
* Have a planned date for RTW during the next week
* Have previously participated in the study or currently participating in other studies
* Unable to take part in exercise/physical activity (e.g., use of walking aids, unable to get up and down on the floor independently)
* Leg pain worse than back pain
* Red flags that could indicate serious underlying pathology:
* Changes in bladder or bowel function
* General feeling of being unwell (malaise), fever and/or unexplained weight loss
* Reduced muscle (motor) function, sensory loss, walking problems or balance problems
* Neck or back pain that started after the age of 55 or feel different from previous pain episodes
* Pain that does not improve with rest or light activit…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Time to sustainable return-to-work (RTW)
Timeframe: 12 months from randomization
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07034040
SponsorNorwegian University of Science and Technology