Work-A Journal of Prevention Assessment & Rehabilitation最新文献

BackgroundWork-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are a significant concern in occupational health. However, in South Korea, the implementation of effective ergonomic assessment methods remains limited owing to procedural complexities and a lack of understanding. This highlights the critical need for a comprehensive approach to assess musculoskeletal workload and mitigate WMSDs.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to compare the reliability of four work posture assessment methods and to propose a new Musculoskeletal Disorder Assessment Index (MDAI) that is easy to use and can evaluate local work load.MethodsThis study introduced a novel Musculoskeletal Disorder Assessment Index (MDAI) that incorporates posture, force, and repeatability as primary risk factors. The MDAI was compared with established assessment methods using empirical data gathered from a manufacturing facility. Thirty-two tasks encompassing diverse physical activities were evaluated using these methods, and their respective action levels were analyzed.ResultsThe MDAI offered a more comprehensive assessment, effectively capturing local workload variations across different body regions. Statistical analysis revealed significant disparities between the MDAI and the other methods, underscoring the distinct advantages of the MDAI approach in accurately assessing local workload. The MDAI excelled in evaluating tasks involving intricate and diverse local workload factors.ConclusionsThis study contributes to the field of ergonomics by introducing a novel musculoskeletal disorder assessment index that enhances the detailed evaluation of local body region workload. Considering posture, force, and repeatability, the MDAI provides a reliable framework for identifying and addressing the risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders.

BackgroundExamining the restorative effects of indoor nature exposure that can be controlled through management and design in work settings is crucial for public health. However, concerns about the external validity of existing findings persist due to insufficiency of studies with ecologically sound experimental designs.ObjectiveThrough an experiment that prioritized higher ecological validity, this study aimed to explore the effects of working in an office room vegetated with green plants on employees' physiological and psychological well-being, and their attentional performance.MethodsThis controlled experimental study employed a crossover design in real-life work environments, involving 40 working individuals. It assessed changes in perceived fatigue, psychological and physiological stress, and attentional performance after individual work in either a vegetated or plant-free office room, with other environmental factors kept constant.ResultsAfter an hour of individual work in a vegetated room, participants reported decreased perceived stress and fatigue, supported by changes in measures of systolic blood pressure and heart rates when compared to a plant-free room. Gender differences emerged, with females experiencing greater relief in perceived stress and males showing more noticeable reductions in stress-related physiological indicators. Enhanced attentional reactions were noted solely among males.ConclusionsThis study accentuated the immediate emotional well-being benefits of indoor plants at work, highlighting the importance of considering diverse user groups in indoor workspace design. It also proposes potential explanations for how indoor plants induce restorative effects on working individuals, suggesting further research.

BackgroundGreen agile leadership (GAL) combines adaptability and environmental commitment to address sustainability challenges. In China resource-intensive healthcare sector, sustainable practices are vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).ObjectiveThis study investigates the influence of GAL on pro-environmental behavior (PEB), focusing on the mediating role of environmental passion (EP) and the moderating effect of face consciousness (FC).MethodsA quantitative research design was employed, utilizing survey data collected from a sample of employees in hospitals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data and test the proposed relationships via MPLUS.ResultsThe study findings indicate that GAL has a significant positive impact on PEB. Additionally, EP was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between GAL and PEB. The moderating effect of FC indicated that employees with higher levels of EP and greater FC in their work environment exhibit enhanced PEB within their organization.ConclusionsThe originality and value of this research lie in its comprehensive examination of the underlying mechanisms via mediating and moderating factors in the relationship between GAL and PEB. Specifically, this research contributes to the growing body of literature on GAL and PEB by shedding light on the mediating role of EP and the moderating role of FC. This study offers theoretical insights and practical recommendations for health industry to effectively manage PEB through GAL and the cultivation of EP and FC among employees.

BackgroundVarious factors in recent years have been shown to negatively impact the physical therapy (PT) workforce in the United States, including decreased reimbursement, burnout, student debt, work-life balance, and more.ObjectiveTo determine if there is a correlation between length of employment and receiving a post-professional certification or residency training in PTMethodsA convenience sample of 121 PTs completing a post-professional certification or residency program, or none, was obtained from a large multi-clinic PT group with an accompanying educational department. Data for each of the employed PTs in the cohort was obtained regarding the hire date, duration of employment before certification/residency, since certification/residency, and overall.ResultsOnly one certification, the pain certification, was correlated to longer employment versus no formal post-professional certification/residency training (p = 0.02). Results show that the mean duration of employment before the start of a pain certification (3.67 years) was significantly longer than sports physical therapy residency (0.52 years; p = 0.001), orthopedic physical therapy residency (1.13 years; p = 0.006)) and manual therapy certification (0.81 years; (p = 0.001). Following training, employment duration produced a less pronounced difference.ConclusionEnrollment in a post-professional pain certification occurs later in the employment tenure compared to other certifications and residencies. Additional research is needed to explore the correlation between post-professional education and longevity of employment and other confounding variables.

BackgroundIn the U.S., OSHA and NIOSH have recommended guidelines, called OSHA Core Elements and Total Worker Health^® concepts, to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and to promote worker health and well-being, respectively. Little is known about how Total Worker Health^® and OSHA Core Elements can be applied to sized businesses (SMBs) in developing countries, including in Indonesia, where health and safety issues are not a priority due to cost, lack of resources, and a lack of national oversight.ObjectiveThis study aims to better understand which occupational safety and health (OSH) strategies that small and medium sized food and bag manufacturing businesses in Indonesia can reasonably implement to reduce workplace injuries.MethodsThis qualitative study utilized focus group discussions with owners of small and medium sized food and bag manufacturing businesses located in Bogor, Jakarta, and Depok City, and relevant stakeholders that work with SMBs, including governmental and non-governmental organizations.ResultsBusiness owners and stakeholders were interested in the Basic OSH Program Plan, a guideline discussed in this study, which incorporate components and contents from OSHA Core Elements, Total Worker Health^® concepts, and International Labor Organization (ILO) guidelines. Although some of the OSH strategies in the Program may not be currently feasible to implement, overall, the business owners and stakeholders thought it could be beneficial to address their OSH concerns.ConclusionThis study shows that there are potential avenues for OSH implementation and enforcement in small and medium sized food and bag manufacturing businesses in Indonesia that can also be expanded to other sectors of SMBs.

BackgroundDespite a growing literature on how digitalisation affects service quality, justice, and accountability in the public sector, research on the effects on the work and work environment of public employees is scarce.ObjectiveTo present and discuss existing evidence and identify knowledge gaps related to how digitalization affects the work and work environment of public sector employees.MethodsThis scoping review is based on peer reviewed academic journal articles in English found in PubMed, PsycINFO, Business Source Premier (EBSCO) and Scopus.ResultsThe review included 52 studies, of which most focused on office or care workers. An increase in studies since 2020 indicates growing interest in the topic. Challenges among screen-level bureaucrats included work-life balance problems, technostress and fear of job loss. Among street-level bureaucrats, reported challenges included curtailed discretion, lack of user involvement and ethical stress. Identified knowledge gaps include the small number of studies with a work environment focus in general and on sectors beyond office and health settings in particular, few studies set outside of Europe and absence of studies on recent phenomena such as AI or algorithmic management.ConclusionsIn view of the presented scarcity of research, we suggest that relevant questions are included in national and local surveys to enable more research, that more studies are conducted in occupational sectors, countries and regions lacking this type of research, and that comparative research is stimulated to uncover differences between the effects of digitalisation on occupational health in private and public sector work settings.

BackgroundObesity and job stress are established contributors to oxidative stress, which is associated with various adverse health outcomes. However, the moderating role of job stress in the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress remains inadequately understood.ObjectivesThis study explored whether job stress, specifically the extrinsic and intrinsic components of the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) model, moderates the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress among female nurses.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory analysis from a cross-sectional study involving female nurses at a tertiary hospital in Western India. The study assessed the prevalence of obesity and overweight based on the suggested criteria for the Asian Indian population. We examined correlations among obesity markers and oxidative stress markers and explored if there is a moderator role of job stress on the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress.ResultsThe combined prevalence of overweight and obesity in the study population was 74%. Significant positive correlations were found between age, obesity-related parameters (Body-mass Index, Percentage Body Fat, Waist-Hip Ratio), and oxidative stress markers (Protein carbonyl content and Glutathione S-Transferase). The relationship between obesity and oxidative stress markers was moderated by overcommitment. Nurses with marked overcommitment exhibited stronger associations between age, obesity, and oxidative stress markers compared to those without marked overcommitment.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that overcommitment moderates the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress, highlighting the need to address intrinsic as well as extrinsic work-related factors in interventions targeting obesity among nurses. Future studies should confirm these findings and explore mechanisms to develop targeted interventions.

BackgroundClimate change impacts everyone, but the warmer and snow starved winter of 2023-2024 in Minnesota has had devastating impacts on people all over the state. It severely limited participation in typical winter outdoor recreational and leisure activities and resulted in unemployment or underemployment of thousands of Minnesotans.ObjectiveThe aim of this article is to draw attention to the direct impact climate change has on human occupations and suggest ways that occupational therapy practitioners and others can contribute to efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.MethodsThe author reviewed of publicly available data, news stories, and had conversations with people directly affected by the winter that was unusually warm and dry. This information was then synthesized into this article.ResultsIn Minnesota, the climate in winters is changing faster than in summers. The lack of snow and ice, directly resulted in unemployment or underemployment of thousands of Minnesotans. It cost businesses, clubs, and communities untold dollars in lost revenue. Further, thousands of Minnesotans lost opportunities to ski, skate, snowmobile, ice fish, snowshoe, dogsled, and engage in many other outdoor activities.ConclusionEngagement in outdoor activities is an important part of life in Minnesota. When climate change interferes with these outdoor activities, it is cause for concern. It impacts paid work, volunteer work, recreation, and leisure. This is of particular concern to occupational therapy practitioners. More must be done to reduce the human causes of climate change.

The number of people with chronic conditions among (potential) workers is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. These individuals experience problems with study, work and income. Both study and work are important to patients and contribute significantly to quality of life. For this reason, attention to study and work has been integrated into regular care across a number of patient groups at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc). Here, work is considered a treatment goal as part of the individuals care plan from diagnosis onwards. Work-oriented care takes shape through the training of nurse specialists, deployment of clinical occupational physicians and guidance to patients. An initial evaluation showed that patients and healthcare professionals believed that work-oriented care added value for both parties. As such, it is important for the future that work-oriented care is structurally embedded in the organization and financing of regular care.