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

BackgroundA lack of attention to hand and food hygiene may result in food workers to absent themselves from their duties. In such a case, the probability of an outbreak can be mitigated by halting the contact of infected individuals with foodstuffs during the food processing phase.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the regulatory role of job satisfaction in the effect of fear of disease transmission on hand and food hygiene attitudes among café workers.MethodsThe study sample comprises 677 café employees. The data collection tools employed in the study were the Disease Contagion/Transmission Scale, the Hand and Food Hygiene Attitude Scale, and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale. Hayes's (2018) Process Macro was utilized to examine the regulatory effect, and Model 1 was selected. The relationships between the measurement tools utilized in the study were interpreted with the assistance of Pearson correlation analysis. For statistical significance, p < .05 was preferred.ResultsThe findings indicate that job satisfaction plays a regulatory role in the effect of fear of disease contagion/transmission on hand and food hygiene attitudes. Individuals with high levels of job satisfaction and fear of disease contagion/transmission demonstrate higher hand and food hygiene attitudes. Upon analysis of the regression results, it was determined that job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on food hygiene attitudes.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate that enhancing job satisfaction is a key factor in fostering positive outcomes with regard to food hygiene attitudes.

BackgroundEffective workload management in education is crucial for student well-being with nature-based Virtual Reality (VR) interventions presenting a viable solution. Most publications primarily examined high-end VR devices with immersive Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs), leading to a study gap in areas with restricted access to advanced VR technology.ObjectivesThis study explores the impact of a low-cost non-immersive VR environment on students' workload and cognitive performance in an educational context.MethodsThe participants were divided into two groups: a control group using traditional screen-based tasks and an intervention group using low-cost VR tools. Subjective workload was assessed using NASA-TLX and the participants were further categorized based on their perceived workload levels. Objective physiological data, including heart rate variability (HRV) and galvanic skin response (GSR), were recorded, and cognitive performance was measured using the Pauli Test.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences in physiological, psychological, or performance outcomes between the control and intervention groups, implying that non-immersive VR did not significantly affect stress levels. Due to the limited sensory engagement, non-immersive VR did not activate the body or engage cognition effectively.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the non-immersive VR intervention not sufficient to produce measurable cognitive impact. Future research is encouraged to investigate the potential of immersive VR environments, which might provide a greater sensory experience. In addition, longer exposure durations should be examined to enhance understanding of the effects on cognitive load, relaxation, and overall well-being in nature-based VR applications. Even though differences were not statistically significant, non-immersive VR still reduced stress and enhanced engagement.

BackgroundBody awareness is a topic, which has been investigating by the scientists, recently.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine effects of low back health education (BHE) on physical function and body awareness in academicians.MethodsThis study is a randomized controlled study. 94 academicians (47 in intervention group and 47 controls) (mean age: 43.22 ± 10.924 years) participated. Participants were evaluated before and after 6-week BHE and exercise program. To evaluate physical functions, One Leg Standing Test, Half Squat, Curl-Up, and Sit and Reach Test were used. The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) was used to assess body awareness (BA) of participants. Intervention group received BHE, including back school. After the education program, they participated in exercise program (six weeks; one day a week). Control group was only given an informative brochure about BHE.ResultsAll parameters in terms of physical function increased in both groups (p ≤ 0.05). However, when the groups were compared, difference was found to be significant in favor of intervention group (p ≤ 0.05). BA scores also increased at the end of six weeks in both groups (p ≤ 0.05). But no differences were found between the groups (p ≥ 0.05), except for body response estimation in BAQ (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsThe results showed that exercise program increased physical functions rather than BA.

BackgroundDespite continual efforts globally in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), they remain one of the most common occupational injuries with individual, organisational and societal impacts.ObjectiveThis scoping review analysed 265 studies on WMSDs published between January 2013 and December 2024, aiming to assess the quality of evidence, identify risk factors, and examine risk assessment tools used.MethodsA systematic search in Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scopus, including subscription-based and open-access journals identified relevant studies. Inclusion criteria focused on WMSD risk assessment in occupational settings. Data extraction covered study characteristics, risk factors, assessment tools, and methodological quality.ResultsThe review revealed a significant increase in WMSD research in recent years, particularly from 2021 to 2024, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on work tasks and conditions. Lower back, neck, and shoulder pain were the most prevalent WMSDs reported. The review identified 79 risk factors across five categories. Physical task factors were most frequently investigated, while psychosocial and environmental factors were underrepresented. Self-report tools, particularly the Nordic Questionnaire, were the most commonly used assessment methods. Our review also highlights the need for more comprehensive risk assessment approaches that consider the interconnected nature of WMSD risk factors. Additionally, about 28% of the reviewed studies did not meet adequate quality of evidence criteria, indicating a need for improved research methodologies.ConclusionsThis review provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in occupational health and safety, emphasising the importance of holistic approaches to WMSD risk assessment and management.

BackgroundHealthcare workers are constantly affected by stress due to their work specificities. The damages of this disorder are not limited to the worker, but extend to the entire society. In this sense, intervention actions are necessary for stress control.ObjectiveTo identify the non-pharmacological therapies used for stress management in healthcare workers and their effects on self-reported and physiological stress.MethodsIntegrative review with article search in the databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and PubMed. The descriptors "cortisol"; "stress", "worker" and their combination with the connector "AND" were used.ResultsA total of 14 articles were selected. The tested non-pharmacological therapies were meditation, yoga, interaction with dogs, self-care and relaxation techniques, physical activity associated with mindfulness, art therapy, auriculotherapy, forest therapy, and sensory body moisturizing. The results were satisfactory in reducing subjective and/or objective stress.ConclusionsTherapies that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care seem to be effective for stress management in healthcare workers.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers, including housekeeping staff, who experience elevated levels of anxiety. This group has been under-addressed in mental health interventions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) and relaxation techniques in reducing anxiety among hospital housekeeping workers during the pandemic.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted with two groups: Group A received tVNS, while Group B underwent a combination of Bhramari Pranayama and Jacobson Relaxation Technique. Outcome tool used-GAD-7 scale, and salivary cortisol levels. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for within-group comparisons and Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test for between-group comparisons.ResultsThe tVNS group showed a significant reduction in GAD-7 scores (pre-test median: 17.0, post-test median: 13.0) and salivary cortisol levels (pre-test mean: 2.35, post-test mean: 1.72), with statistical significance (p < 0.001). The relaxation techniques group also demonstrated a decrease in GAD-7 scores (pre-test median: 17.0, post-test median: 15.5) and cortisol levels (pre-test mean: 2.42, post-test mean: 2.13), though with less pronounced effects compared to the tVNS group. Between-group comparisons revealed that the tVNS group had significantly lower post-test GAD-7 scores and cortisol levels than the relaxation techniques group.ConclusionThe study concludes the effectiveness of taVNS in reducing anxiety and physiological stress among hospital housekeeping workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While relaxation techniques also contributed to reducing anxiety, taVNS provided a more substantial impact.

BackgroundMany U.S. adults with arthritis experience limited physical activity, especially in the workplace, which increases their risk of inactivity. Further research is needed to address this gap.ObjectiveTo examine work-related moderate-intensity daily activity minutes among U.S. adults with arthritis compared to those without arthritis during 2017-2018.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 5552 participants in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted across all U.S. regions. Participants aged 18 and older were included and divided into groups with (n = 1695) and without arthritis (n = 3857). The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire measured work-related moderate-intensity daily activity minutes.ResultsThe study found that 30.5% of participants had arthritis, reporting 28.7 fewer minutes of work-related moderate-intensity daily activity (t = 17.9, p < 0.001) than individuals without arthritis. The fully adjusted multivariate regression model showed that the odds of fewer work-related moderate-intensity daily activity minutes were 1.25 times higher (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.51, p = 0.018) in adults with arthritis. Notably, the odds of fewer work-related activity minutes were higher among males (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04-1.45), non-Hispanic Blacks (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.04-1.69), college graduates (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.92-3.36), and individuals with morbid obesity (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01-1.79).ConclusionU.S. adults with arthritis-especially males, non-Hispanic Blacks, college graduates, and those with obesity-reported fewer work-related moderate-intensity daily activity minutes during 2017-2018.

BackgroundThe implementation of risk management for occupational health and safety is a fundamental requirement in all sectors. The occupational hazards and associated health consequences experienced by drivers in the public transport sector necessitate the implementation of proactive measures.ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to propose a novel hybrid risk assessment model, based on spherical fuzzy sets, for the prioritization of prevalent occupational hazards among public transport drivers.MethodsThis study proposes the implementation of an integrated Fine-Kinney-based fuzzy occupational risk assessment model. This model incorporates the Alternative Ranking Technique based on Adaptive Standardized Intervals (ARTASI) approach and the Logarithmic Decomposition of Criteria Importance (LODECI) method. These are employed within the context of a spherical fuzzy environment. The integration of spherical fuzzy sets and the spherical fuzzy-Yager weighted arithmetic mean aggregation operator signifies a substantial advancement in the domain of occupational risk assessment. The amalgamation of these methodologies, in combination with the utilization of spherical fuzzy sets, culminates in the formulation of the proposed SFLOAR-Fine-Kinney hybrid model.ResultsThe results obtained from the proposed model indicates that the potential occupational hazard PTH12 (Work stress) is the most significant hazard, with the highest utility function value of 97.69061, and PTH15 (Income/salary policies) is the least serious hazard, with the lowest utility function value of 76.40069.ConclusionsThe present study offers theoretical and managerial implications for researchers, professionals and policymakers working in the public transport sector by harmoniously integrating quantitative and qualitative perspectives and employing robust assessment techniques.