Table 1 Overview of inclusion and exclusion 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