Background  

Despite an increase in the occurrence of burnout, there is no agreement on what kind of rehabilitation these patients should be offered.

Purpose  

Primary aim of this study was to evaluate effects on psychological variables and sick leave rates by two different group rehabilitation programs for patients on long-term sick leave because of burnout. Rehabilitation program A (Cognitively oriented Behavioral Rehabilitation (CBR) and Qigong) was compared with rehabilitation program B (Qigong only).

Method  

In a randomized clinical trial, 96 women and 40 men with a mean age of 41.6 ± 7.4 years were allocated to one of the two rehabilitation programs.

Results  

A per-protocol analysis showed no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the groups. Both groups improved significantly over time with reduced levels of burnout, self-rated stress behavior, fatigue, depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and sick leave rates. In an intention-to-treat analysis, patients in program A had fewer obsessive–compulsive symptoms and larger effect sizes in self-rated stress behavior and obsessive–compulsive symptoms compared to patients in program B.

Conclusion  

This study showed no differences in effect between CBR and Qigong compared with Qigong only in a per-protocol analysis. Both rehabilitation programs showed positive effect for patients with burnout.