| 1. |
- Balogh, Istvan, et al.
(author)
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Questionnaire-based mechanical exposure indices for large population studies--reliability, internal consistency and predictive validity
- 2001
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 27:1, s. 41-41
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study attempts to construct valid indices for mechanical exposure of the shoulder-neck region with relation to the development of shoulder-neck pain in a 1-year perspective study of a general population. METHODS: A comprehensive questionnaire was presented to 14 556 subjects aged 45 or 65 years and repeated after 12 months. Twenty-four questions concerning positions, movements, and manual materials handling were registered on a 3-point impact scale. Musculoskeletal problems were reported on a slightly modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for the Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms. Test-retest stability after 2 weeks was calculated for 232 consecutive participants. Based on mechanistic theories, 4 exposure indices were formed. Another 5 constructs were obtained by factor analysis. RESULTS: All the indices showed good test-retest stability, and 5 of them had very good internal consistency. Due to overlaps between the indices, 2 indices stood out as having unique properties. One of them concerned mainly postures and the other dealt primarily with measured lifting. However, the latter was not related to the shoulder-neck pain outcome when adjusted for the posture index. The posture index showed an exposure-effect relationship with the outcome. The job titles implied a large degree of exposure misclassification. CONCLUSIONS: The posture index is recommended as a mechanical exposure index for analyses of interaction with other possible determinants of shoulder-neck pain (ie, psychosocial factors). The use of such an index instead of job titles in large population studies will reduce the risk of misclassification.
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| 2. |
- Balogh, Istvan, et al.
(author)
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Self-assessed and directly measured occupational physical activities - influence of musculoskeletal complaints, age and gender
- 2004
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In: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-9126 .- 0003-6870. ; 35:1, s. 49-56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study compares questionnaire assessed physical activity with direct technical measurements among cleaners and office workers, stratified regarding age, gender and self-reported neck/shoulder complaints. During two full working days number of steps was recorded by a pedometer, sitting/standing positions by a posimeter and heart rate by a Sport-Tester. In addition the subjects kept a work task diary for 10 days. There were high intra-individual variations in exposure between the days. Subjects with complaints rated their exposure higher than those without, although they in fact showed lower direct measured exposure. This may imply underestimation of exposure-effect relationships. Rate of perceived exertion showed low correlation with heart rate ratio within the two occupational groups, but high, 0.64 when the two groups were combined. Age and complaints explained 31% of the variance for the cleaners.
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| 3. |
- Bülow, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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High incidence of mental disorders, reduced mental well-being and cognitive function in hypopituitary women with GH deficiency treated for pituitary disease
- 2002
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In: Clinical Endocrinology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2265 .- 0300-0664. ; 56:2, s. 183-193
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown possible neuroendocrine effects of GH. In the present study we investigated the incidence of mental disorders and the prevalence of mental distress and cognitive dysfunction in hypopituitary women with untreated GH deficiency compared to population-based controls.DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Thirty-three hypopituitary women with a median age of 64 years (range 39--77 years) were investigated cross-sectionally, without any change in hormone substitutions. Twenty-nine of the patients had been operated for a pituitary tumour, 25 had received radiotherapy and 15 had visual dysfunction. The patients were with a very high probability GH deficient, as 29 had subnormal IGF-I levels and the other four were GH deficient as assessed by an insulin tolerance test. The patients were compared with 33 controls matched for sex, age, smoking habits, educational level and residence.MEASUREMENTS: The incidence of mental disorders was calculated from the date of diagnosed hypopituitarism to the time of the present investigation. Mental well-being was assessed by three self-rating questionnaires: the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI) and the social network concept. The subjects were examined with neuropsychological tests of vocabulary (SRB:1 vocabulary test), perceptual speed (WAIS-R Digit Symbol), spatial ability (WAIS-R Block Design), verbal memory (Cronholm--Molander verbal memory test), spatial learning (Austin Maze Test) and reaction time (APT Two-way Reaction Time and APT Inhibition).RESULTS: The hypopituitary women had a higher incidence of mental disorders than the controls; Incidence Rate Ratio 4.5 (95% CI 1.0--21). The Global Severity Index, i.e. the average score of all 90 questions of the SCL-90, was higher in patients (P = 0.001), and the patients had significantly more symptoms of somatization, anxiety, depression, obsession--compulsion, hostility--irritability, phobic and psychotic symptoms (all P less-than-or-equal 0.04). Moreover, 14 patients compared to four controls were classified as possible cases of mental distress according to the SCL-90 (P = 0.006). The patients experienced lower availability of both social attachment (P = 0.02) and integration (P = 0.001), but there were no group differences in the adequacy of these dimensions or in emotional support. The patients had lower scores in four of seven neuropsychological tests (all P less-than-or-equal 0.04).CONCLUSIONS: The hypopituitary women had a higher incidence of mental disorders, more symptoms of mental distress and increased prevalence of cognitive dysfunction. The impaired results in the patients could possibly be explained by several factors, such as transfrontal surgery, radiotherapy, visual dysfunction and unphysiological hormone substitution. Moreover, it is probable that GH deficiency contributed, but placebo-controlled double-blind studies are warranted to investigate whether the psychological dysfunction is reversible on GH substitution.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Eek, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Cortisol, sleep, and recovery: some gender differences but no straight associations
- 2012
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In: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-3360 .- 0306-4530. ; 37:1, s. 176-184
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract in UndeterminedBACKGROUND: Work related fatigue has been suggested as a link in the assumed sequence of events between repeated adverse work demands and the development of work related stress, which may be associated with changes in concentrations of cortisol, psychological overload and, in the long run, health problems. Insufficient sleep is a contributing factor to lack of recovery, but previous studies on associations between subjective aspects of sleep and recovery, and cortisol, have been inconclusive. The aim with the present study was to examine possible associations between cortisol measures and (I) self-rated recovery, (II) occupational fatigue and (III) subjective sleep quality the night preceding cortisol sampling. Further, possible gender differences were tested. METHODS: Salivary cortisol was measured in 581 persons during a working day, at awakening, +30min and in the evening. Various measures of subjective sleep and recovery were analyzed in relation to cortisol. RESULTS: Few correlations between cortisol and any sleep- or recovery parameters were found. However, some significant associations were found between cortisol and a few measures of more chronic aspects of sleep and recovery. Gender stratified analyses showed somewhat differing associations among men and women. This indicates that possible associations and pathways between lack of recovery/sleepiness and cortisol, and in the long run, unhealth, may not be similar for men and women.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Ektor-Andersen, John, et al.
(author)
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Behaviour-focused pain coping: consistency and convergence to work capability of the swedish version of the chronic pain coping inventory.
- 2002
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In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - 1651-2081. ; 34:1, s. 33-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim was to study the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory. The material consisted of a group of 100 subjects recruited from a large population study. Pain status and the absence of pain-related sick leave during the previous year conditioned inclusion. Another group comprised 160 patients on the long-term sick list and who had been referred to a multidisciplinary pain clinic for evaluation. The psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency of the scales were good or very good for all scales of behaviour-focused pain coping. Use of the strategies "Guarding", "Resting", "Asking for assistance", "Relaxation", "Task persistence", "Coping self-statements" and "Seeking social support" was significantly related to vocational capability. "Guarding". "Asking for assistance", "Relaxation", "Exercise and stretch" and "Coping self-statements" increased in parallel to increasing pain from localized to intermediate or widespread. No gender difference was found in cases reporting more pronounced pain.
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| 10. |
- Engquist, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Musculoskeletal pain and impact on performance in orchestra musicians and actors
- 2004
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In: Medical Problems of Performing Artists. - 0885-1158. ; 19:2, s. 55-61
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on performance in orchestra musicians and in a reference group of actors, who share the mental stress in a performance situation, but without having the physical work load from an instrument. Swedish musicians (n = 103) from symphony and chamber orchestras and actors (n = 106) participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by a further developed Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The impact of pain on performance (pain affecting playing capacity, decreased playing time, and change of technique) and trouble-related sick leave also was assessed. Pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scales. Musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulders was the most frequently reported problem, with similar prevalence among Musicians and actors, around 25% for present pain and 20% for chronic pain (1-year prevalence). Around 10% of the musicians and 5% of the actors reported pain in the hands. Oral pain was reported by 12% of the Musicians and 18% of the actors. The number of affected body regions and the intensity of pain were similar in the study groups. The musicians had an increased risk for pain affecting playing capacity. For the neck, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) was 3.0 (95% confidence interval 1.2-7.2; adjusted for age and gender). String instrumentalists had higher risk estimates than nonstring instrumentalists. A gender difference was not observed. Pain in the oral region affecting playing capacity was less common in musicians, with a prevalence odds ratio of 0.4 (95% confidence interval 0.1-0.8). Even though the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was similar in the two groups of performing artists, the consequences for the work situation were more serious among musicians.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Garde, Anne Helene, et al.
(author)
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Month-to-month variation in sleep among healthy, Scandinavian daytime workers
- 2014
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 74:6, s. 527-535
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. The overall purpose of the present study was to attain more insight in month-to-month variation of sleep duration and quality in order to improve design and interpretation of, e.g. epidemiological studies using sleep as outcome. Methods. The study design entailed monthly self-reports from 38 (26 women/12 men) daytime workers, who completed the Karolinska Sleep Diary (KSD) once a month during one year. A subgroup (n = 16) also wore actigraphs on one day every month during a year. Self-reports of bedtime, time of awakening, sleep duration, individual sleep characteristics, disturbed sleep index (DSI, 4 items) and awakening index (AWI, 3 items) were analyzed together with actigraphy-derived measures. Hours of daylight were used to test for circa-annual variation in statistical models adjusted for intake of hypnotics and alcohol, gender, age and within-person variability. Results. Hours of daylight were found to be associated to self-reported bedtime (p = 0.032) and DSI (p = 0.030), thereby indicating a circa-annual variation. Bedtime was delayed by 1.8 min (95% CI: 0.6-2.9 min) per 1 hour increase in length of daylight. Sleep was slightly more disturbed during the winter. Conclusion. Only circa-annual variation in self-reports of bedtime and DSI were observed in a healthy daytime working population, and the effects were small. Therefore potential bias due to circa-annuality in the studied parameters appears to be of limited concern in adult daytime working populations.
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| 15. |
- Garde, AH, et al.
(author)
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The influence of production systems on physiological responses measured in urine and saliva
- 2003
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In: Stress and Health. - : Wiley. - 1532-3005. ; 19:5, s. 297-306
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to investigate physiological effects of highly similar production systems with different degrees of automation by use of urinary catecholamines and cortisol as well as salivary cortisol. Furthermore, it was determined whether the physiological response was related to real-time self-reports in terms of feelings of positive and negative arousal, physical exertion, and sleepiness. Sixteen healthy women sorting wooden slats participated in the study. The work was highly repetitive and demanded intense concentration and rapid qualified decisions. The women rotated between three production systems with varying degrees of automation. Real-time logbooks were completed and urine was collected five times and saliva seven times on four workdays and on one day off When working at the most automated production system urinary concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline were 14 per cent lower compared to those obtained when working at the other production systems. For salivary cortisol, the profile over the day differed between production systems. The type of production system did not affect urinary cortisol. Feelings of positive and negative arousal were associated with increased concentrations of urinary adrenaline, while sleepiness was associated with lower salivary cortisol. These associations were independent of the relationship between production systems and biomarkers. In conclusion, decreased physiological arousal was observed in response to increased automation and real-time self-reports appeared to be related to specific physiological systems. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
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| 16. |
- Hansen, AM, et al.
(author)
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Bullying at work, health outcomes, and physiological stress response
- 2006
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In: Journal of Psychosomatic Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1360 .- 0022-3999. ; 60:1, s. 63-72
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The relationships among bullying or witnessing bullying at work, self-reported health symptoms, and physiological stress reactivity were analysed in a sample of 437 employees (294 women and 143 men). Physiological stress reactivity was measured as cortisol in the saliva. Of the respondents, 5% of the women (n=15) and 5% of the men (n=7) reported bullying, whereas 9% of the women (n=25) and 11% of the men (n=15) had witnessed bullying at work. The results indicated that the bullied respondents had lower social support from coworkers and supervisors, and they reported more symptoms of somatisation, depression, anxiety, and negative affectivity (NA) than did the nonbullied respondents. Witnesses reported more symptoms of anxiety and lower support from supervisor than did the nonbullied employees. Concentrations of cortisol in the saliva were lower at awakening in bullied respondents compared with nonbullied respondents. Previous studies have reported lower diurnal concentration of cortisol for people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic fatigue. To our knowledge, this is the first full study on the associations among being subjected to bullying, health outcomes, and physiological stress response. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 17. |
- Hansen, Ase Marie, et al.
(author)
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Diurnal profiles of salivary cortisol on workdays among construction workers versus white-collar workers
- 2006
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; , s. 22-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives The aim of the present study was to test whether construction workers, who are known to have a relatively higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), had higher concentrations of cortisol in saliva and a lower relative variability when compared with white-collar workers. Methods Data from two groups of male construction workers with physically demanding job assignments, with either regular or extended workhours (N=40) and a group of white-collar workers recruited from both the private and the public sector (N=118) were examined. All of the workers had participated in previous research projects with similar methodology. Saliva was sampled during ordinary workdays at awakening, between 30 and 45 minutes after awakening, and approximately 14 hours after awakening. Results Compared with the white-collar workers, the construction workers had higher mean concentrations of cortisol in saliva, 36% and 14% for construction workers with regular and extended workhours, respectively. The observed differences weakened when the exact sampling time (time of day) was taken into consideration in the statistical modeling. Compared with the white-collar workers, the construction workers had a lower relative variability in salivary cortisol as measured by the coefficient of variation (CV 76% versus 99%). A detailed analysis revealed that the construction workers with regular workhours had the highest concentration of cortisol in saliva but the lowest relative variability when compared with the construction workers with extended workhours (CV 72% versus 82%). Conclusions The results suggest that physically demanding construction work is associated with a less variable and increased cortisol excretion when compared with white-collar work.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Hjortskov, N, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of salivary cortisol as a biomarker of self-reported mental stress in field studies
- 2004
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In: Stress and Health. - : Wiley. - 1532-3005 .- 1532-2998. ; 20:2, s. 91-98
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study examine's the association between self-reported mental stress and the salivary cortisol response via a systematic literature review by using recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration. Literature in different databases was screened and articles were selected on the basis of a set of inclusion criteria. Each article was assigned a total score on the basis of a rating system including objective and design of the studies, description of possible confounders, sampling strategy, description of psychosocial factors, and statistical analysis. The findings of the studies were considered to be inconsistent if less than 75 per cent of the high and medium quality studies reported the same conclusion. The literature search revealed a total of 73 studies. According to the inclusion criteria 14 field studies were selected for further evaluation. According to the rating system, seven studies were considered to be of high quality and seven studies of medium quality. No studies were considered to be of low quality. Four studies reported a positive association; two studies reported negative association and eight reported no association between self-reported mental stress and the cortisol response. Accordingly, the evaluation of the studies in this paper showed insufficient evidence for an association between self-reported mental stress and the cortisol response in field studies. Possibly the large diversity in study designs, the types and measures of mental stress, and the various salivary cortisol sampling strategies obscure any potential relationship. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Karlson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Cortisol variability and self-reports in the measurement of work-related stress
- 2011
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In: Stress and Health. - : Wiley. - 1532-3005. ; 27:2, s. 11-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We examined whether a high cortisol awakening response (CAR) and low cortisol decline over the day (CDD) are related to self-reported work stress and well-being, and whether there are gender differences in these relationships. Three hundred eighty-three working men and women responded to a survey measuring job stress factors, mastery at work, symptoms and well-being. Salivary cortisol was sampled at awakening, after 45 min and at 21:00, from which the variables CAR and CDD were defined. A high CAR was associated with lower perceived job control and work mastery, and poorer well-being. Low CDD was associated only with higher job demands, but the self-report scores showed a number of interactions between cortisol group and gender. Among women, those showing a low CDD, compared with those with a higher CDD, had more favourable scores on a number of job stress factors and symptom load. In contrast, among men, a similar comparison showed those with low CDD to have poorer scores on job stress factors and symptom load. We conclude that individuals displaying high CAR or low CDD differ from those not displaying these cortisol profiles in self-report of work stress and well-being, and that gender differences appear in these relationships.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Karlson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Effects on sleep-related problems and self-reported health after a change of shift schedule.
- 2009
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In: Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. - : American Psychological Association (APA). - 1076-8998 .- 1939-1307. ; 14:2, s. 97-109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study prospectively examined the effects of a change of shift schedule from a fast forward-rotating schedule to a slowly backward-rotating one. The initial schedule had a forward rotation from mornings to afternoons to nights over 6 consecutive days, with 2 days on each shift followed by 4 days off before the next iteration of the cycle, whereas the new schedule had a slower backward rotation from mornings to nights to afternoons, with 3 days on a given shift followed by 3 days off before the next shift. Shift workers (n = 118) were compared with a reference group of daytime workers (n = 67) from the same manufacturing plant by means of questionnaires covering subjective health, sleep and fatigue, recovery ability, satisfaction with work hours, work-family interface, and job demands, control, and support. Data were collected 6 months before implementing the new schedule and at a follow-up 15 months later. As predicted, on most dimensions measured the shift workers displayed clear improvements from initially poorer scores than daytime workers, and the daytime workers displayed no improvements. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Karlson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Euroquest: the validity of a new symptom questionnaire
- 2000
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In: NeuroToxicology. - 1872-9711. ; 21:5, s. 783-790
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The new questionnaire Euroquest was designed to study effects from exposure to organic solvents, and it covers the most commonly reported symptoms associated with long-term solvent exposure. Its convergence and criterion validity were evaluated by means of comparison with the two well-established generic symptom questionnaires Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Men with long-term exposure to organic solvents and symptoms common in toxic encephalopathy (TE) classified as TE type 2A (n=29) or 2B (n=28) according to their neuropsychological test performance, and a comparable group of non-exposed healthy referents (N=57), were included. The six Euroquest factors obtained by a factor analysis were labeled: 'emotional lability' 'cognitive disturbances' 'peripheral neurology' 'sleepiness' 'fatigue' and 'sleep disturbances'. These factors correlated well with most SCL-90 scales and with the GHQ-30 total score in the combined TE groups. The combined TE groups were correctly classified to a similar degree by the Euroquest factors 'cognitive disturbances' and 'peripheral neurology' (TE 82.5% and referents 93%) and the SCL-90 scales 'somatization, 'interpersonal sensitivity', 'obsessive-compulsive symptoms' and 'hostility' (TE 84.2% and referents 93.0%), but not as well by GHQ-30 (TE 61.4% and referents 79%). In comparison with the separate TE groups most referents, and a considerably higher percentage of 2B than 2A subjects, could be correctly classified with both Euroquest and SCL-90. With GHQ-30, only a few 2A cases and fewer than half of the 2B cases were correctly classified. In conclusion, the Euroquest factors converged with both SCL-90 scales and GHQ-30 score. With both the Euroquest and SCL-90 questionnaires a similar percentage of the TE subjects were discriminated from the referents, most conspicuously regarding TE 2B subjects, who had an objectified cognitive dysfunction. In a choice between Euroquest and SCL-90, the Euroquest may have the advantage of higher face validity, for TE subjects.
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| 29. |
- Karlson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Stress management in men with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy
- 2000
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In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1536-5948. ; 42:6, s. 670-675
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stress management was studied in male patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (TE) of types 2A (TE 2A, n = 31) and 2B (TE 2B, n = 26). The patients were compared with a healthy reference group (n = 57). Self-reported symptoms (90-item Symptoms Checklist [SCL-90]), sense of coherence, coping strategies, and level of mastery were measured. As expected, both TE groups reported highly deviating symptoms on most SCL-90 scales. The TE 2B patients, who had objectified cognitive dysfunction, reported more use of passive, less situationally adequate coping strategies; a weaker sense of coherence; and a lower degree of mastery. In contrast, the TE 2A cases showed only minor deviations from the reference group in these respects. The results suggest that having a strong sense of coherence, a sense of mastery, and flexible resources for stress management could be dependent on intact brain functions.
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| 30. |
- Lindgren, Magnus, et al.
(author)
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Solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy : Electrophysiological data in relation to neuropsychological findings
- 1997
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In: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1380-3395 .- 1744-411X. ; 19:5, s. 772-783
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Male subjects with type 2A (n = 12) and 2B (n = 12) solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy and a reference group of healthy men (n = 12) without previous solvent exposure were studied using quantitative EEG and event- related potentials from an odd-ball and a dual-task paradigm. Subjects with toxic encephalopathy of types 2A and 2B showed markedly lower P300 amplitudes than did controls in both paradigms. In the relatively complex dual-task setting, subjects with 2A and 2B showed lower signal detection than did controls.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
- Malmberg, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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Heart rate variability changes in physicians working on night call.
- 2011
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 84:3, s. 293-301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: Adverse effects by night-call duty have become an important occupational health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the heart rate variability (HRV) differed during recovery from day work and night-call duty between distinct physician specialities. METHODS: We studied the impact of a 16-h night-call duty on autonomic balance, measured by HRV, among two physician groups differing with respect to having to deal with life-threatening conditions while on call. Nineteen anaesthesiologists (ANEST) and 16 paediatricians and ear, nose and throat surgeons (PENT) were monitored by ambulatory digital Holter electrocardiogram (ECG). Heart rate variability was analysed between 21:00 and 22:00 after an ordinary workday, on night call and in the evening post-call. Absolute and normalized high-frequency power (HF, HFnu) were the main outcome variables, expressing parasympathetic influence on the heart. RESULTS: ANEST had lower HF power than PENT while on night call and post-daytime work (p < 0.05), but not at post-night call. In the whole group of physicians, HFnu was lower on call and post-daytime work compared with post-night-call duty (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The physiological recovery after night duty seemed sufficient in terms of HRV patterns for HFnu, reflecting autonomic balance and did not differ between specialities. However, the less dynamic HRV after daytime work and during night-call duty in the ANEST group may indicate a higher physiological stress level. These results may contribute to the improvement of night-call schedules within the health care sector.
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Malmberg, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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Sleep and recovery in physicians on night call : a longitudinal field study
- 2010
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In: BMC Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; 10, s. 239-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: It is well known that physicians' night-call duty may cause impaired performance and adverse effects on subjective health, but there is limited knowledge about effects on sleep duration and recovery time. In recent years occupational stress and impaired well-being among anaesthesiologists have been frequently reported for in the scientific literature. Given their main focus on handling patients with life-threatening conditions, when on call, one might expect sleep and recovery to be negatively affected by work, especially in this specialist group. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a 16-hour night-call schedule allowed for sufficient recovery in anaesthesiologists compared with other physician specialists handling less life-threatening conditions, when on call. Methods: Sleep, monitored by actigraphy and Karolinska Sleep Diary/Sleepiness Scale on one night after daytime work, one night call, the following first and second nights post-call, and a Saturday night, was compared between 15 anaesthesiologists and 17 paediatricians and ear, nose, and throat surgeons. Results: Recovery patterns over the days after night call did not differ between groups, but between days. Mean night sleep for all physicians was 3 hours when on call, 7 h both nights post-call and Saturday, and 6 h after daytime work (p < 0.001). Scores for mental fatigue and feeling well rested were poorer post-call, but returned to Sunday morning levels after two nights' sleep. Conclusions: Despite considerable sleep loss during work on night call, and unexpectedly short sleep after ordinary day work, the physicians' self-reports indicate full recovery after two nights' sleep. We conclude that these 16-hour night duties were compatible with a short-term recovery in both physician groups, but the limited sleep duration in general still implies a long-term health concern. These results may contribute to the establishment of safe working hours for night-call duty in physicians and other health-care workers.
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
- Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
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A two-week monitoring of self-reported arousal, worry and attribution among persons with annoyance attributed to electrical equipment and smells.
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : Wiley. - 1467-9450 .- 0036-5564. ; 49:4, s. 345-356
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-patients attributing annoyance to either smells (smell annoyed; SA, n= 29) or electrical equipment (electrically annoyed; EA, n= 17), or both (generally annoyed; GA, n= 38), were monitored for 2 weeks through daily self-ratings of arousal (stress), sleep disturbances, health complaints, worry about hypersensitivity reactions, avoidance behaviors, and attributions of health complaints to electrical equipment and smells. In parallel, a demographically matched reference group was followed (n= 56). GA persons reported higher arousal (stress), more subjective health complaints, and more sleep disturbances than the other groups. About 60% in the GA and EA groups reported intentional avoidance behavior, compared to 31% in the SA group and 2% of the referents. Worry and attribution to environmental factors was also more frequent among GA persons than in the other groups. Thus, even at sub-clinical levels, environmental annoyance generalized to several triggers seems to be associated with behaviors commonly observed among patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance.
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
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Arbete, stress och hälsa
- 2014
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In: Människan i arbetslivet. Teori och Praktik.. - 9789144079790 ; , s. 15-48
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Problemområdet arbetsrelaterad stress har inte någon entydig ämnesteoretisk hemvist eller definition. Trots områdets vaga konturer måste forskare, praktiker och lekmän ofta förhålla sig till arbetsrelaterad stress. Exempelvis är diskussionen om stress och stressrelaterade tillstånd vanligt förekommande i medierna, bland politiker och hos allmänheten. Det är dock ovanligt att sjukdomar som misstänkts ha orsakats av psykiska faktorer och stress i arbetet anmäls och godkänns som arbetsskada (Thorén, 2010). I detta kapitel beskrivs dels några centrala idéer som har format området, dels några idéer till hur dessa kan operationaliseras till prevention och hantering av arbetsrelaterad stress. Då idéerna involverar parallella spår och olika akademiska discipliner (t.ex. sociologi, psykologi, neurobiologi och endokrinologi) blir varje beskrivning av nödvändighet kortfattad och selektiv. I fokus för kapitlet står stressresponsen som är en komplex och noggrant reglerad evolutionär anpassning för att återställa fysiologisk balans (Nesse m.fl., 2007). Utifrån ett systemteoretiskt tänkande, som inkluderar flera nivåer från samhälle till individ, och med stressresponsen i centrum, beskrivs och diskuteras sambandet mellan den sociala miljön och hälsa samt hanteringsmöjligheter. Om inget annat anges, förs resonemangen utifrån premisserna att vi talar om människor som är normalt utvilade och i fysiologisk balans, samt att kropp, känslor och medvetande är en del av människans fysiologi. Avsikten med detta kapitel är att på ett enkelt och överskådligt sätt beskriva de komplexa samband som finns mellan arbete, stress och hälsa. Därmed önskar vi förbättra möjligheterna till att fatta informerade beslut rörande handlingsmöjligheter i olika roller och sammanhang.
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- Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
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Can the job content questionnaire be used to assess structural and organizational properties of the work environment?
- 2012
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 85:1, s. 45-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective The theory behind the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) presumes that the "objective" social environment is measurable via self-report inventories such as the JCQ. Hence, it is expected that workers in identical work will respond highly similar. However, since no studies have evaluated this basic assumption, we decided to investigate whether workers performing highly similar work also responded similarly to the JCQ. Methods JCQ data from a rubber-manufacturing (RM: n = 95) and a mechanical assembly company (MA: n = 119) were examined. On each worksite, men and women performed identical machine-paced job tasks. A population sample (n = 8,542) served as a reference group. Results In both the RM and MA groups, the job support questions were rated most similar. Yet, there was a substantial variation as regards choosing to agree or disagree with single JCQ items. The variation was also reflected in the scale scores. In the RM and MA groups, the variance of job demand and job control scores was 64-87% of that of the population sample. For job support scores, the corresponding variation was 42-87%. Conclusion Conducting highly similar work does not lead to highly similar reports in the JCQ. In view of the large response variation, it seems that the attempt to avoid personal influence by minimizing the self-reflexive component in the questions asked, and using response alternative that indicates degree of agreement, does not seem to work as intended.
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| 44. |
- Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
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Effects of the implementation of an 84-hour workweek on neurobehavioral test performance and cortisol responsiveness during testing.
- 2003
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 29:4, s. 261-269
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether long workhours in combination with an extended workweek (12 hours/7 days), as requested by the workers, impaired attention and cognitive performance and whether the degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation was related to the response to the performance tasks. METHODS: A group of 41 male construction workers between 21 and 60 (mean 39) years of age who worked 84 hours a week, with alternate weeks off, was compared with a group of 23 male construction workers between 24 and 65 (mean 43) years of age who had a traditional 40-hour work schedule. Neurobehavioral test performance, self-ratings of fatigue and sleepiness, and salivary cortisol levels were evaluated in a counterbalanced repeated-measures design. RESULTS: The 84-hour group did not show any signs of reduced test performance or elevated fatigue and sleepiness. The 84-hour group had faster reaction times on day 7 than on days 1 and 5. Although the expected activation of the HPA axis was only found in the total study sample when workdays 1 and 5 were collapsed, the HPA activation can be considered normal. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an 84-hour work regimen in response to requests from workers does not induce more performance deficits than an ordinary 40-hour workweek. An extended work schedule of 84 hours cannot in the short-term be considered to affect basic mental capabilities negatively.
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| 45. |
- Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
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Impact of an 84-hour workweek on biomarkers for stress, metabolic processes and diurnal rhythm
- 2006
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 32:5, s. 349-358
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives This study examined the degree to which long workhours in combination with an extended workweek (12 hours/7 days) with permanent day shifts (0700-1900), as requested by the workers, influenced biomarkers for stress, metabolic processes, and diurnal rhythm. Methods Construction workers (N=50) working 84 hours a week, with alternate weeks off, were compared with construction workers (N=25) having a traditional 40-hour work schedule. The participants were all male and between the ages of 21 to 65 years. Blood samples were obtained in the morning immediately prior to the start of work on workday 1, 5, and 7 to assess cholesterol, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, melatonin, prolactin, testosterone, and uric acid. Psychosocial circumstances were assessed with a questionnaire. Results The 84-hour group had higher melatonin concentrations and reported higher job-control scores than the 40-hour group. For both groups, the melatonin, cortisol, and cholesterol concentrations were lower on workday 5 than on workday 1. In the 84-hour group, most of the biomarkers were significantly lower in concentrations on workday 7 than on workday 1. Only testosterone showed a significant decrease between workdays 5 and 7. The concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone and uric acid remained stable across all of the days, as did the melatonin concentrations between workdays 5 and 7. Conclusions Working of one's own freewill on an 84-hour regimen is not, in the short-term, necessarily more harmful for health than working on a 40-hour regimen with a similar type of heavy worktasks. However, working on an 84-hour schedule beyond the ordinary 40-hour week results in signs of a functional shift in hormonal regulation.
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