Risk factors for psychological distress in electroencephalography technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national-level cross-sectional survey in Japan

OBJECTIVE To identify the risk factors for psychological distress in electroencephalography (EEG) technicians during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHOD In this national-level cross-sectional survey initiated by Japan Young Epilepsy Section (YES-Japan), which is a national chapter of The Young Epilepsy Section of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE-YES), a questionnaire was administered to 173 technicians engaged in EEG at four clinics specializing in epilepsy care and 20 hospitals accredited as (quasi-) epilepsy centers or epilepsy training facilities in Japan from March 1 to April 30, 2021. We collected data on participants' profiles, information about work, and psychological distress outcome measurements, such as the K-6 and Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic (TMDP). Linear regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for psychological distress. Factors that were significantly associated with psychological distress in the univariate analysis were subjected to multivariate analysis. RESULTS Among the 142 respondents (response rate: 82%), 128 were included in the final analysis. As many as 35.2% of EEG technicians have been under psychological distress. In multivariate linear regression analysis for K-6, female sex, examination for patients (suspected) with COVID-19, and change in salary or bonus were independent associated factors for psychological distress. Contrastingly, in multivariate linear regression analysis for TMDP, female sex, presence of cohabitants who had to be separated from the respondent due to this pandemic, and change in salary or bonus were independent associated factors for psychological distress. CONCLUSION We successfully identified the risk factors associated with psychological distress in EEG technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results may help in understanding the psychological stress in EEG technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic and improving the work environment, which is necessary to maintain the mental health of EEG technicians.