Work - Volume 46, issue 3

Authors: Gussenhoven, A.H.M. | van Wier, M.F. | Bosmans, J.E. | Dekkers, J.C. | van Mechelen, W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether a lifestyle intervention with individual counselling was cost-effective for reducing body weight compared with usual care from a company perspective. PARTICIPANTS: Overweight employees were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention groups, either phone or Internet, or the control group. METHODS: The intervention was based on a cognitive behavioural approach and addressed physical activity and diet. Self-reported body weight was collected at …baseline and 12 months follow-up. Intervention costs and costs of sick leave days based on gross and net lost productivity days (GLPDs/NLPDs) obtained from the participating companies were calculated. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation techniques. Uncertainty surrounding the differences in costs and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) was estimated by bootstrapping techniques, and presented on cost-effectiveness planes and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in total costs were found between the intervention groups and control group, though mean total costs in both intervention groups tended to be higher than those in the control group. The ICER of the Internet group compared with the control group was �59 per kilogram of weight loss based on GLPD costs. The probability of cost effectiveness of the Internet intervention was 45% at a willingness-to-pay of �0 per extra kilogram weight loss and 75% at a willingness-to-pay of �1500 per extra kilogram body weight loss. Comparable results were found for the phone intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was not cost effective in comparison with usual care from the company perspective. Due to the large amount of missing data, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions. Show more

Keywords: Body weight, economic evaluation, employer, occupational health care, sick leave

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121555

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 337-346, 2013

Authors: Yong, Mei | Nasterlack, Michael | Pluto, Rolf-Peter | Lang, Stefan | Oberlinner, Christoph

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine perceived stress across employees with different occupational status, to investigate the impact of stress on work ability and to derive conclusions regarding health promotion activities. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive survey combining questionnaire and medical examination was offered in one division in BASF Ludwigshafen. Among 867 voluntary participants, 653 returned complete questionnaires. The questions were directed at perception of safety at the workplace, self-rated health status, frequency of stress symptoms, unrealistic …job demands, time pressure and maladjustment of work life balance. The outcome of interest was self-estimated health measured by the Work Ability Index (WAI). RESULTS: Occupational stressors were perceived differently across occupational status groups. Frontline operators had more health concerns due to workplace conditions, while professional and managerial staff reported higher frequencies of perceived tension, time pressure, and maladjustment of work life balance. After adjustment for occupational status, demographic and lifestyle factors, perceived stress was associated with a modest to strong decline in WAI scores. CONCLUSION: While perceived occupational stress had an apparent impact on WAI, and WAI has been demonstrated to be predictive of early retirement, more intensive and employee group-specific stress management interventions are being implemented beyond traditional strategies of routine occupational medical surveillance. Show more

Keywords: Work Ability Index, risk factors, screening, health surveillance, health promotion, cross-sectional study

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121556

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 347-354, 2013

Authors: Allaire, Saralynn J. | Backman, Catherine L. | AlHeresh, Rawan | Baker, Nancy A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Prior articles in this series on employment and arthritis have documented the major impact arthritis and other rheumatic conditions have on employment. As expected, physically demanding job tasks, including hand use, are substantial risk factors for work limitation. Computer use has been increasing. People with arthritis may choose occupations involving extensive computer use to avoid occupations with other physical demands. But studies show many people with arthritis conditions have difficulty using computers. Ergonomic …assessment and implementation helps relieve the physical and other demands of jobs. The Ergonomic Assessment Tool for Arthritis (EATA) is specifically for people with arthritis conditions. Since the EATA can be conducted off worksite, it is feasible to use with workers not wishing to disclose their condition to their employer. Available research supports the effectiveness of ergonomic intervention as a viable method to reduce work limitation for persons with arthritis. Some workers will need additional vocational intervention to remain employed long term. However, ergonomic intervention is a useful first step, as it promotes awareness of arthritis effects on work activities. Assisting workers with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions to use ergonomics to enhance their ability to work well should be an important aspect of managing these conditions. Show more

Keywords: Arthritis, ergonomics, employment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131761

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 355-361, 2013

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-131762

Citation: Work, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 363-365, 2013