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Background Cognitive problems contribute to decline in work performance. We evaluated (1) the effectiveness of basic self-management and extensive therapist-guided online cognitive rehabilitation on attainment of individually predetermined work-related goals among occupationally active cancer survivors, and (2) whether effectiveness of the programs differed for survivors with and without formal cognitive impairment. Methods In a 3-arm randomized controlled trial (NCT03900806), 279 non–central nervous system cancer survivors with cognitive complaints were assigned to the basic program (n = 93), the extensive program (n = 93), or a waiting-list control group (n = 93). Participants completed measurements pre-randomization (T0), 12 weeks post-randomization upon program completion (T1), and 26 weeks post-randomization (T2). Mixed-effects modeling was used to compare intervention groups with the control group on goal attainment, and on self-perceived cognitive problems, work ability, and health-related quality of life. Results Participants in the extensive program achieved their predetermined goals better than those in the control group, at short- and long-term follow-up (effect size [ES] = .49; P  < .001; ES = .34; P  = .014). They also had fewer recovery needs after work (ES = -.21; P  = .011), more vitality (ES = .20; P  = .018), and better physical role functioning (ES = .0.43 P  = .015) than controls. At long-term follow-up, this finding persisted for physical role functioning (ES = .42; P  = .034). The basic program elicited a small positive nonsignificant short-term (not long-term) effect on goal attainment for those with adequate adherence (ES = .28, P  = .053). Effectiveness of the programs did not differ for patients with or without cognitive impairment. Conclusions Internet-based therapist-guided extensive cognitive rehabilitation improves work-related goal attainment. Considering the prevalence of cognitive problems in survivors, it is desirable to implement this program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the effectiveness of a 3-year worksite lifestyle intervention on cardiovascular metrics and to study whether outcomes are influenced by baseline subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) by non-invasive imaging. Methods and results A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare a lifestyle intervention with standard of care in asymptomatic middle-aged subjects, stratified by SA. The intervention consisted of nine motivational interviews during the first year, followed by three further sessions between Years 1 and 3. The primary outcome was the change in a pre-specified adaptation of the Fuster-BEWAT score (B lood pressure, E xercise, W eight, A limentation, and T obacco) between baseline and follow-up Years 1–3. A total of 1020 participants (mean age 50 ± 4 years) were enrolled, of whom 510 were randomly assigned to the intervention and 510 to the control group. The baseline adapted Fuster-BEWAT score was 16.2 ± 3.7 points in the intervention group and 16.5 ± 3.5 points in the control group. At Year 1, the score improved significantly in intervention participants compared with controls [estimate 0.83 (95% CI 0.52–1.15) points]. However, intervention effectiveness decreased to non-significant levels at Year 3 [0.24 (95% CI –0.10 to 0.59) points]. Over the 3-year period, the intervention was effective in participants having low baseline SA [0.61 (95% CI 0.30–0.93) points] but not in those with high baseline SA [0.19 (95% CI –0.26 to 0.64) points]. Conclusion In middle-aged asymptomatic adults, a lifestyle intervention was associated with a significant improvement in cardiovascular health and behavioural metrics. The effect attenuated after 1 year as the intensity of the intervention was reduced. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02561065). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature on the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders related to pushing and pulling were examined and evaluated from four perspectives including epidemiology, psychophysics, physiology and biomechanics. Findings showed that pushing and pulling were associated with low back pain. Other risk factors identified were the actual working method, worker's characteristics and the work situation. However, further longitudinal epidemiological studies were needed to establish a firm relationship between pushing and pulling and musculoskeletal disorders.

Poor working postures are associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Many different observation methods have been developed to analyse working posture and activity. TRAC (Task Recording and Analysis on Computer) enables the observer to choose and define the variables and the categories within variables to be recorded at the workplace and analysed afterwards. In this study, inter-observer reliabilities were determined for the variables that were essential to ensure accurate recording of both working posture and activity of lorry drivers. The pre-set standard for observer reliability was not reached before the number of variables was decreased: the variables concerning activities and load handled were omitted in favour of those concerning body posture. As a result of this reliability study an improved application of TRAC is proposed. For the purpose of recording all selected variables a second observer is introduced, so that two observers work simultaneously at the working site. The first observer pays attention only to working postures and the second observer records, among other things, activities. An additional program has been written to combine the variables of both observers for subsequent analysis. This enables us to investigate the relation between activity, appliances or goods being handled, and the corresponding working postures. The second observer records on a real-time basis and provides accurate information on the duration and sequence of activities. It is considered that this twofold application of TRAC is an important contribution to the accurate analysis of workplaces.

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Recently, there has been interest in whether shift work may enhance susceptibility to infection. Our aim was to determine whether shift workers in the health-care field have a higher incidence, duration, and/or severity of influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) than non–shift workers. From September 2016 to June 2017, 501 rotating and/or night-shift workers and 88 non–shift workers from the Klokwerk+ Study (the Netherlands, 2016–2017) registered the occurrence of ILI/ARI symptoms daily using a smartphone application. The incidence rate of ILI/ARI (defined as ≥2 symptoms on the same day/≥1 symptom on 2 consecutive days), the mean duration of each episode, and the incidence rate of severe episodes were compared between shift workers and non–shift workers using negative binomial regression and linear mixed-model analysis. In total, participants completed 110,347 diaries. Shift workers' incidence rate of ILI/ARI was 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.43) times higher than that of non–shift workers, and for severe ILI/ARI episodes, shift workers' incidence rate was 1.22 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) times higher. The mean duration of an ILI/ARI episode did not differ (ratio between means = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.19). In conclusion, shift workers in health care had more ILI/ARI episodes and more severe ILI/ARI episodes than non–shift workers, but with a similar duration. Insight into underlying mechanisms connecting shift work and infection susceptibility will contribute to the design of preventive initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It is unknown whether an increase in societal participation is important for individuals with a chronic disease. This study explores whether having paid work, volunteer activities or informal care giving differs for individuals with a chronic disease and those without. Methods Respondents (n = 1779) aged 55–64 years who participated in the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam in 2002/2003 or 2012/2013 were included. We tested differences in (combinations of) performing paid work, volunteer activities or informal care giving between participants with and without a chronic disease by regression analyses, while taking into account sociodemographic confounders and effect modification by year. Results Having a chronic disease was associated with having paid work in 2002/2003 (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 04–0.7), but not in 2012/2013 (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.4–1.1). Work participation of participants with (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.2) and without a chronic disease (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3–3.9) increased in 2012/2013. Participants with a chronic disease are more likely to participate in volunteer activities than paid work. No statistically significant associations were found between having a chronic disease and informal care giving. Conclusion Participation in paid work differs between individuals aged 55–64 years with a chronic disease and those without, but participation in informal care giving did not. Individuals with a chronic disease are more likely to participate in volunteer activities than paid work. Future research should focus on differences in societal participation within heterogeneous group of individuals with a chronic disease, since differences may be present in subgroups with specific chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relation between shift work and a large variety of cardiometabolic risk factors is unclear. Also, the role of chronotype is understudied. We examined relations between shift work and cardiometabolic risk factors, and explored these relations in different chronotypes. Methods Cardiometabolic risk factors (anthropometry, blood pressure, lipids, diabetes, γ-glutamyltransferase, C-reactive protein, uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate) were assessed among 1334 adults in 1987–91, with repeated measurements every 5 years. Using shift work history data collected in 2013–15, we identified shift work status 1 year prior to all six waves. Linear mixed models and logistic generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the longitudinal relations between shift work and risk factors 1 year later. Results Shift work was not significantly related with cardiometabolic risk factors (P ≥ 0.05), except for overweight/body mass index. Shift workers had more often overweight (OR: 1.44, 95% CI 1.06–1.95) and a higher body mass index (BMI) (β : 0.56 kg m−2, 95% CI 0.10–1.03) than day workers. A significant difference in BMI between day and shift workers was observed among evening chronotypes (β : 0.97 kg m−2, 95% CI 0.21–1.73), but not among morning chronotypes (β : 0.04 kg m−2, 95% CI −0.85 to 0.93). No differences by frequency of night shifts and duration of shift work were observed. Conclusion Shift workers did not have an increased risk of cardiometabolic risk factors compared with day workers, but, in particular shift working evening chronotypes, had an increased risk of overweight. More research is needed to verify our results, and establish whether tailored interventions by chronotype are wanted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]