Table 1.

Overview of inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria
• temporary agency worker or unemployed worker
• age between 18 and 64 years
• sick-listed between 2 and 8 weeks
• MSD complaints as main reason for reporting sick
• able to complete questionnaires written in Dutch
Exclusion criteria
• sick-listed for more than 8 weeks
• not able to complete questionnaires written in Dutch
• a conflict with the SSA or UWV regarding a sickness benefit claim or a long term disability claim
• a legal conflict, e.g. an injury compensation claim
• episode of sickness absence due to MSD within one month before current sickness benefit claim
• revision or ending of a disability benefit within one month before current sickness benefit claim
• absence of work abilities due to medical reasons for at least three months
• serious physical disease, e.g. cancer
• serious psychiatric co-morbidity
• serious cardiovascular co-morbidity
• pregnancy until three months after delivery