Ongoing reserach projects
Phys-Can (Physical Training and Cancer)
In this multicenter study we evaluate the effects of physical exercise on high or low/moderate intensity in persons undergoing adjuvant cancer treatment, i.e. chemotherapy, radiation and antihormone treatment. Main outcomes are cancer-related fatigue and quality of life, and we perform long-term follow-up on recurrence and survival. In addition, we evaluate the effect of behaviour change support (extra coaching) on performed exercise. Physiological mechanisms are investigated to increase our knowledge about what mediates the effect of exercise on cancer-related fatigue. Health economic evaluations are also performed.
The project is a collaboration between three universities in Sweden: Uppsala, Lund and Linköping, universities of Agder and Bergen in Norway, University of Copenhagen in Denmark, The Netherlands Cancer Institute and VU University Medical Centre vid University of Amsterdam, and University of Leeds, United Kingdom. The project is financed by Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Cancer Society och World Cancer Research Fund. Contact: PI professor Karin Nordin; Project coordinator: associate professor Ingrid Demmelmaier
Heavy-load resistance training during chemotherapy for breast cancer
In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of heavy-load resistance training during ongoing chemotherapy on skeletal muscle cellular outcomes. One group of women exercise during treatment and are compared to one non-exercising group. The effects are evaluated by measurement of muscle fiber size and known regulators of muscle fiber size such as myonuclei and satellite cell count. It is already known that chemotherapy may impair both muscle strength and function. In this study we aim to assess if heavy-load resistance training during cancer treatment can counteract such deterioration. The project is financed by The Swedish Cancer Society. Contact: professor Karin Nordin
Rehabilitation coordinator in specialist healthcare
A randomized controlled trial are performed to evaluate the effect of introduction of rehabilitation coordinators in healthcare on patients' sick leave and return to work/studies. The results will contribute with new knowledge serving as a base for decisions regarding the rehabilitation coordinator function. This study is performed within psychiatric specialist healthcare and the target group is individuals who are on sick leave due to moderate to severe affective and/or anxiety disorder. This study also uses a qualitative design to explore the patients' perceptions of and experiences from the intervention. The study is founded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) and the County Council of the region. PI: Associate Professor Ingrid Anderzén. Contact: PhD Åsa Andersén.
VITALIS - Improved health and return to work for people on long-term sick leave
The study is a long-term follow-up of participants in the VITALIS project, which was a randomized controlled trial conducted in 2010-2012. The target group is women expected to reach their maximum number of paid sick leave days via the SSIA through the regulatory changes that were introduced in 2008. The study evaluates possible long-term effects of the intervention, including a health economic evaluation. The study is founded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE). Contact: PhD Erik Berglund.
Mental ill-health and sickness absence among women who recently entered working life: Intervenable risk and protective factors
Mental ill-health and sickness absence have increased considerably in recent years among young people who are new to the labor market, and the problems are particularly common among young women. The project aims to increase knowledge about risk and protective factors for mental ill-health and sickness absence among young women in various parts of the labor market in Sweden. Data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH), a cohort representing the Swedish working population, will be used to identify patterns and predictors of mental ill-health. Survey data regarding organizational and social work environment factors, use of social media, change in socio-economic and social status and self-reported mental (ill) health will be linked to national registers. From the registers, demographic data, information on sickness absence and prescribing of medicines for depression, difficulty sleeping, etc. are retrieved. These quantitative data are supplemented with qualitative interview data to get deeper and more detailed descriptions of young women's experiences of their work situation and mental health. In the long run, the project is expected to contribute to improvements at the individual, organizational and societal level; through reduced mental ill-health and sickness absence among young women and in the longer term through increased sustainability and gender equality in working life. The project is financed by Afa Insurance. Doctoral student Ylva Lindberg. Contact PI: Associate Professor Anna Nyberg.
Gender-based harassments and exposure on Swedish workplaces
The project investigates health effects of sexual and gender harassments in the workplace. Based on an intersectional perspective, the aim is to gain new insights about the individual relative status in the workplace as a risk factor for being subjected to sexual and gender harassment. Furthermore, the project aims at elucidating the connection between sexual and gender harassments and mental ill health, sickness absence, sickness presenteeism, register based sickness absence, and dispensing of psychotropic prescription drugs such as antidepressants, hypnogogic and sedatives. Information will be gained from the Swedish Work Environment Survey (SWES), the Longitudinal Integrated Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies (LISA), The Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH), the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE). Contact PI: Associate Professor Anna Nyberg.
Prerequisites for increased inclusion and sustainability in working life for young adults with OCD
Knowledge regarding factors that influence sickness absence and labor market participation among young adults, aged 19-29, with OCD is limited. The aim of the project is to: 1) examine using register data what characterizes different patterns of sick leave, unemployment and work participation in individuals aged 19-29 years with OCD and what is the importance of comorbidities in this question 2) based on interviews, extend knowledge of individual and societal prerequisites for work entry and a sustainable work participation. The project is expected to generate knowledge about how support and efforts for young adults with OCD can be developed and thereby increase prerequisites for their establishment on the labor market, sustainable working life and low sickness absence. Ultimately, the hope with the project is to contribute to the improvement of health, quality of life and participation in society for individuals with OCD. The project is financed by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Involved in the project are PhD. Lisa Holmlund at Karolinska Institutet, and PhD. Magnus Helgesson, at Uppsala University.Contact PI: PhD Åsa Andersén
Prerequisites for increased inclusion and sustainability in working life for young adults with ADHD
The aim of the project is to investigate prerequisites and barriers for sustainable work participation for young adults with ADHD. The project will, from a societal perspective, investigate work participation, sickness absence and unemployment among young adults with ADHD and the importance of comorbidity with other diseases for sustainable work participation. The project will also be highlighted from an individual perspective, where interviews can deepen the knowledge of individual and sustainable work participation. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE). The project manager is Magnus Helgesson and the others working in the project are Åsa Andersén, Lisa Holmlund, Anna Nyberg, Lotta Borg-Skoglund and Beatrice Carpentsier.
Sustainable working-life for ageing populations in the Nordic-Baltic region
This project aims to generate knowledge and solutions for a sustainable and inclusive future working life for ageing population in the countries of the Nordic-Baltic region. The consortium consists of three main partners - Uppsala University, which is also the leader partner (Sweden), University of Iceland (Iceland) and Vilnius University (Lithuania), as well as network partners from Riga Stradins University (Latvia) and Tallinn University (Estonia). The network will be even expanded towards other countries in the Nordic region. The scientific work will explore: 1) how our societies can adapt to rapid social, demographic, and technological changes, 2) how to provide an inclusive, competent, and sustainable future labour force, work environments that ensure health and wellbeing and work-life balance in a time of hybrid working environments, flexible contracts/new employment forms and longer working life; 3) how transformation of working life affects income trajectories for men and women. Data will be drawn from, among others, The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), The Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) in Sweden and an Icelandic study on population ageing (HL20). Contact: project leader Ieva Reine
Link to the project page at NordForsk
In time for future – time for equal breast cancer care
The number of women who decease from breast cancer is decreasing in Sweden. An important reason for this is the high number of women participating in mammography screening. Thus, many cases can be detected at an early stage, which means good conditions for successful treatment. This applies to women in general, but there are differences in certain groups. Among women with intellectual disabilities, a high mortality is still seen and there is a clear connection to late detection. Women from this group are absent from their mammography examinations to a greater extent, and thus possible cases of breast cancer are discovered later, which reduces the chance of successful treatment. This study aims to study how different factors influence the frequency of mammography visits among women with intellectual disabilities. The data will consist of focus group interviews with these women combined with a questionnaire study among good men/managers. The project is financed by the Sävstaholm Foundation. Contact: Fil dr Marie Lange