Burnout and depression are associated with substantial personal suffering as well as high societal and economic costs due to prolonged sick leave and reduced productivity. While inpatient multimodal treatment is effective in reducing symptoms at discharge, less is known about long-term mental and physical health, occupational functioning, and return to work (RTW). Existing evidence suggests that mental and physical health generally improve following treatment, but nevertheless symptoms often persist in the long term. Moreover, there is limited evidence on RTW after inpatient treatment, particularly regarding long-term trajectories and relapse. A better understanding of predictive indicators of work ability and RTW after treatment is therefore required.
To address this gap, this follow-up study of the HARMODI cohort aims to investigate psychophysiological health, work ability, and RTW up to three years after treatment at the Clinica Holistica Engiadina. By combining self-reported outcomes with previously assessed post-treatment cardiorespiratory fitness, HRV, and cognitive function, this study provides a comprehensive perspective on long-term recovery. The findings aim to inform the optimization of treatment programs and support public health policymaking.
This study is a monocentric retrospective longitudinal exploratory cohort study conducted at the Clinica Holistica Engiadina.Questionnaire data on psychophysiological health, RTW, and work ability will be assessed from former study participants of the HARMODI study (No. 2022-01871) up to three years after discharge from inpatient treatment. In addition, existing data from the HARMODI study will be used to investigate potential associations between time to RTW and post-treatment changes in depression severity, cardiorespiratory fitness, HRV, and cognitive function.
All former HARMODI participants who did not withdraw informed consent will be invited to comple online questionnaires up to three years after their discharge from the clinic.
