Evaluation of a randomized controlled trial on the effect on return to work with light therapy/magnetic field therapy and coaching for workers with burnout

Burnout (work-related chronic stress) is a problem that is common in the workplace, and implies that the employee feels exhausted. It is not only an attack on health, well-being and functioning of the employee, also for the employer and for society it is costly as an employee is absent due to absenteeism costs, lost productivity and medical expenses. The usual treatment of burnout is the cognitive-behavioral approach (coaching) which induced factors that have contributed to the onset of the problem. With this treatment reduction in symptoms and increasing the reintegration of work is the main goal.



Objective:

Letec developed a technique that utilizes the light therapy / magnetic field therapy treatment platform Xentix besides coaching. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, a "proof of concept" is necessary. This can be obtained by means of a scientific study in which the research question is whether the therapy using light / magnetic field therapy can contribute return to return to work, reducing stress and fatigue and improve the quality of life. The intention is to implement the proven efficacy of the treatment within the care of people with burnout.



Intervention:

Light therapy / magnetic field therapy / coaching treatment for 12 weeks, 2 times a week for 40 minutes on the treatment platform (group 1). A placebo group receives the same treatment which the light therapy / magnetic field therapy is not activated (group 2) and a control group receives only coaching (group 3).



Study design:

The study is a randomized placebo-controlled study and will take approximately one year in burnout patients (n = 90). Subjects with the aforementioned problems are treated in three groups namely: group 1 receives light therapy / magnetic field- therapy and coaching, group 2 receives the same treatment with the light therapy / magnetic field- therapy which is not activated and Group 3 will only receive coaching.



Study population:

The population consists of employees (18yr -65yr) from the South of the Netherlands with burnout complaints with at least 50% absenteeism



Main study parameters / endpoints:

Return to work score between baseline (week 0) and endpoint (week 12)

Combination of light therapy / magnetic field therapy can increase return to work by patients suffering from burnout.

baseline week -1

T1 week 6

T2 week 12

T3 week 24

Participants will be treated for 12 weeks, 2 times a week for 40 minutes on the treatment platform with light therapy / magnetic field therapy / coaching (group 1). A placebo group receives the same treatment which the light therapy / magnetic field therapy is not activated (group 2) and a control group receives coaching only (group 3).