Work - Volume 44, issue 2

Authors: Cohen, Sara I. | Suri, Pradeep | Amick, Melissa M. | Yan, Kun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between clinical and demographic factors with employment status in post-deployment US military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. PARTICIPANTS: 169 OIF/OEF veterans seen at a post-deployment clinic between December of 2009 and May of 2010. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively on employment status, age, marital status, gender, pre-deployment education, ratings of sleep disturbance, pain, and depression, and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or PTSD diagnosis. …RESULTS: Unemployment was highly prevalent in this sample (45%). Of the demographic and clinical factors examined, only a self-report of global depression severity was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of unemployment in multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10–0.47). Age greater than 40 demonstrated a positive association with employment status that was of borderline statistical significance ([OR] 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–8.1). Prior diagnoses of mTBI or PTSD, and current sleep or pain symptoms, were not associated with employment status. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with more severe self-reported depression had a higher prevalence of unemployment. Future prospective studies are needed to better understand which factors determine employment status in returning veterans. Show more

Keywords: Depression, OIF/OEF, pain, Polytrauma, posttraumatic stress disorder

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1417

Citation: Work, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 213-219, 2013

Authors: Jacobs, Karen | Kaldenberg, Jennifer | Markowitz, Jackie | Wuest, Ellen | Hellman, Miranda | Umez-Eronini, Amarachi | Arsenault, Michael | Walker, Bryce | Hall, Victoria | Ciccarelli, Marina | Parsons, Richard | Barr, Alice

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) is a program established in the state of Maine in the United States of America, where all students in 7th and 8th grades are provided with a notebook computer to use at school and at home during the academic year. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the anthropometric measurements and typing proficiency of a cohort of students in the MLTI. It also investigated the impact of participatory ergonomics education and use …of peripheral notebook accessories on their reported musculoskeletal and visual discomfort over the first three years of a six year study. METHODS: This longitudinal study commenced in 2009 with 34 students in 7th grade consenting to participate for six years through the 12th grade. Students received ergonomics education about healthy notebook use, reinforced with web-based resources; and were provided with peripheral notebook accessories including a notebook riser, and external keyboard (split or non-split) and mouse. RESULTS: The use of an external keyboard resulted in a reduction in neck and shoulder pain. Participants self-reported fewer headaches when using an external mouse. Using no external accessories was associated with self-reported back pain. Although other musculoskeletal discomforts decreased over time, the changes were not statistically significant. There was a trend for the reduction of visual symptoms including dry/watery eyes and sore, tired eyes during the study. CONCLUSION: Participatory ergonomics training and use of external devices may have significant health benefits for children involved in notebook programs who have daily exposure to this technology for school and leisure purposes. Internal and external validity of the results were limited by small sample size. Show more

Keywords: Vision symptoms, longitudinal study, musculoskeletal discomfort, occupational therapy, occupation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121584

Citation: Work, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 221-230, 2013

Authors: Sutarto, Auditya Purwandini | Wahab, Muhammad Nubli Abdul | Zin, Nora Mat

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Predominantly cognitive tasks assigned to the shop floor can lead to decreased cognitive functions problems, thereby increasing occupational accident risks. A potential approach to prevent such circumstances is by improving operator's cognitive performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training could improve cognitive performance among electronic manufacturing's operators. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects consisted of 36 female operators who were randomly assigned as the experimental (n=19), and control group …(n=17). METHOD: The experimental participants received five session of weekly HRV biofeedback training of 30–50 minutes each. Physiological stress profiles and cognitive performance were assessed at pre and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant group x time effects were observed for attention and memory (p< 0.01) but not present for cognitive flexibility. Significant higher total spectrum HRV and low frequency (LF) power also occurred during biofeedback sessions, in addition to slower respiration rate. Physiological stress profile showed that the biofeedback participants were able to increase their LF activity at baseline, stressor, and recovery periods from pre to post. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates potential application of HRV biofeedback for operator's performance enhancement, associated with increases in HRV. Show more

Keywords: Psychophysiology, heart rate variability, attention, memory, cognitive flexibility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121499

Citation: Work, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 231-243, 2013