The effectiveness of augmented versus standard individual placement and support programs in terms of employment: a systematic literature review

Background: The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program is a well-studied vocational rehabilitation program. Although it is more effective than usual care, it is not effective for everyone. This offers an opportunity for program improvement. Aims: This systematic literature review examines the state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of augmented versus standard IPS for people with severe mental illness (SMI). We address the questions, “What IPS augmentations have been tested?” and “What is the evidence for the effectiveness of augmented IPS versus standard IPS in terms of employment?” Methods: This systematic literature review used publically available peer-reviewed studies published between January 2002 and January 2016 in either: (1) Medline Current, (2) Medline In-process, (3) PsycINFO, (4) Econlit or (5) Web of Science. Results: 5718 unique citations were identified; seven articles from five studies were included. Of these studies, four were rated as having moderate risk of bias and one as having high risk. Conclusions: The results suggest that augmentations of IPS focusing on cognitive and psychosocial skills training, may have additional effects to standard IPS. Areas in need of further research related to the process and targeting of those interventions are discussed.