Self-report Questionnaires Research Articles

Improving mental health among intensive care unit staff with communication skills training.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff report that a large part of the work-related distress they experience is related to communication situations with colleagues, patients, and relatives. Based on these findings, the aim of the present study was to preliminary evaluate the effects of a novel Communication Skills Training (CST) program on mental health among ICU staff. The CST program was delivered to the entire work force of an ICU at a Swedish hospital and was evaluated as an uncontrolled clinical trial with three repeated measures. 100 participants were eligible and included in the analyses. The theoretical framework for the program was learning theory and cognitive behavioral therapy. The program was delivered by two psychologists and included one full-day lecture and three subsequent two-hour supervision sessions. Changes in mental health was evaluated with self-report questionnaires measuring perceived stress, general mental health, work engagement, and psychological flexibility. Analyses of three repeated measures showed significant improvements with 1.3 points lower perceived stress and 2.0 points lower general mental health after the intervention. No differences were seen in measures of work engagement or psychological flexibility. Findings of the study supports the utility of the CST program as an intervention to target perceived stress and general mental health within intensive care. These findings should be further validated in trials with improved design.

More adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased social thinning and severe psychological distress

Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to psychopathology due to reduced social networks or social thinning. However, evidence of the temporal associations between adverse childhood experiences, social networks, and psychopathology was lacking, as few studies assessed social networks repeatedly. Further, their underlying neurocognitive and biological mechanisms related to hypervigilance and inflammation remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify these associations using a three-wave population-based cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 465), where we leveraged repeated social network assessments. Self-reported questionnaires assessed adverse childhood experiences, social network size and diversity, psychological distress, and hypervigilance regarding COVID-19. Blood tests were conducted to measure inflammation markers. Individuals with more adverse childhood experiences demonstrated lesser increases in their social networks than those without adverse childhood experiences. Decreased network sizes were associated with severe psychological distress, but this association did not remain after adjusting for baseline distress. On the other hand, reduced network diversities were associated with increased psychological distress. We did not find any paths through hypervigilance regarding COVID-19 and inflammation that explain associations between adverse childhood experiences, social thinning, and psychological distress. These findings emphasize the significant social network changes in the associations between adverse childhood experiences and psychopathology.

Evidence of Peripheral Vestibular Impairment Among Adults With Chronic Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability among adults in the United States. There is evidence to suggest the peripheral vestibular system is vulnerable to damage in individuals with TBI. However, there are limited prospective studies that describe the type and frequency of vestibular impairment in individuals with chronic moderate-severe TBI (> 6 months postinjury). Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and video head impulse test (vHIT) were used to assess the function of otolith organ and horizontal semicircular canal (hSCC) pathways in adults with chronic moderate-severe TBI and in noninjured comparison (NC) participants. Self-report questionnaires were administered to participants with TBI to determine prevalence of vestibular symptoms and quality of life associated with those symptoms. Chronic moderate-severe TBI was associated with a greater degree of impairment in otolith organ, rather than hSCC, pathways. About 63% of participants with TBI had abnormal VEMP responses, compared to only ~10% with abnormal vHIT responses. The NC group had significantly less abnormal VEMP responses (~7%), while none of the NC participants had abnormal vHIT responses. As many as 80% of participants with TBI reported vestibular symptoms, and up to 36% reported that these symptoms negatively affected their quality of life. Adults with TBI reported vestibular symptoms and decreased quality of life related to those symptoms and had objective evidence of peripheral vestibular impairment. Vestibular testing for adults with chronic TBI who report persistent dizziness and imbalance may serve as a guide for treatment and rehabilitation in these individuals.

The Moderating Role of Proposed External Incentives on COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions in an Emerging Economy Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for widespread vaccination to combat the spread of the virus and protect public health. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence COVID-19 vaccination intentions and examine the moderating role of proposed external incentives in an emerging economy context. Specifically, the study explores the impact of attitude, subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioural (PB) control on vaccination intentions and examines how external incentives interact with these factors to strengthen vaccination intentions. Data was collected through 318 structured self-report questionnaires administered to individuals. The collected data underwent statistical analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 3.0. The analysis fulfilled all the necessary assumptions and criteria for data quality and model robustness. The findings indicate that attitude, SN and PB control significantly influence individuals’ intentions to get vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the main contribution of this study lies in its revelation that proposed external incentives positively impact the relationship between attitude and vaccination intentions. This suggests that external factors, such as monetary and non-monetary incentives, play a crucial role in attracting individuals towards preventive vaccination. The findings hold practical implications for policymakers and medical service providers, as they highlight the importance of external incentives in positively influencing vaccination intentions. These insights can aid in designing effective strategies to encourage vaccine uptake and reduce the likelihood of future pandemics.

Impact of carer burden, social support, and gratitude on quality of life in families of older adults with dementia

This study explores how carer burden, social support, and gratitude affect the quality of life of family members of older adults with dementia. Participants included 156 family members living with older adults diagnosed with dementia. Data were collected using structured self-report questionnaires and analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. Significant predictors of quality of life were identified as family support, friend support, and gratitude, and the explanatory power of these factors for quality of life was 48.2 %. To enhance the quality of life of families of older adults with dementia, programs promoting supportive familial interactions, activities enhancing support from friends, and initiatives fostering gratitude should be implemented.

Effects of dietary habits and catheterization type on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundUnderstanding the factors that contribute to variability in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is an important first step in developing targeted interventions to improve quality of life in breast cancer patients. Although previous research studies have has identified many risk factors for BCRL, dietary habits and catheterization type have rarely been studied until the present.AimThis study aims to explore the effects of nursing factors such as dietary habits and catheterization type on breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1,476 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between January 1, 2012, and September 1, 2020. Lymphedema was assessed with a validated self-report questionnaire. All research data were obtained from medical records and a follow-up database. Multivariate Cox regression was conducted to explore the effects of dietary habits and catheterization type on BCRL.ResultsThe results showed an increased risk for BCRL among breast cancer patients who followed a high-fat diet prehospitalization (HR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.55–3.94; P < 0.001), indwelling totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) compared with indwelling needles (HR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.35–0.90;P = 0.017) or indwelling peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) (HR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.45–1.05; P = 0.086).ConclusionHigh-fat diet pre-hospitalization was an independent risk factor for lymphedema. The TIVAPs did not exert a protective effect on lymphedema compared with the PICC and indwelling needle. This study finding offers new insights to develop targeted interventions to decrease the incidence of lymphedema.

Influence of Defense Mechanisms on Sport Burnout: A Multiple Mediation Analysis Effects of Resilience, Stress and Recovery.

The aims of this study were: (a) to explore the relationships between adaptive defense mechanisms (ADMs), maladaptive defense mechanisms (MADMs), stress, recovery, resilience, and sport burnout; and (b) to examine resilience, stress, and recovery as mediators of the relationship between defense mechanisms and burnout. One hundred and seventy-five athletes (M = 20.30 years, SD = 3.75) completed self-report questionnaires assessing defense mechanisms, resilience, stress, and recovery. Correlation analysis revealed that MADMs were positively associated with burnout, while ADMs had no significant link with burnout. Concerning mediation analysis, results showed a mediating effect of resilience in the relationship between ADMs and burnout. The findings also demonstrated a mediating effect of resilience and recovery in the relationship between MADMs and burnout. Our study highlighted that certain defenses categorized as adaptive might not be suitable in specific situations, thus underscoring the influence of mediating variables. The findings of mediation analysis demonstrated that resilience appears to serve as a particularly protective factor against burnout. On the contrary, MADMs would have a deleterious influence in the management of stress, which could lead to burnout. Coaches may consider fostering athletes' resilience in conjunction with ADMs and implementing targeted psychological exercises to reduce the use of MADMs.

EEG Evidence of Acute Stress Enhancing Inhibition Control by Increasing Attention.

Research about the impact of acute stress on inhibitory control remains a contentious topic, with no consensus reached thus far. This study aims to investigate the effects of acute stress on an individual's inhibitory control abilities and to elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms by analyzing resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) data. We recruited 32 male college students through participant recruitment information to undergo within-subject experiments under stress and non-stress conditions. Physiological indicators (cortisol and heart rate), self-report questionnaires, and behavioral data from the Stroop task were collected before, during, and after the experiment. Additionally, a five-minute eyes closed resting state EEG data collection was conducted during the Stroop task before. (1) Acute stress led to a reduction in the conflict effect during the participants' Stroop task in individuals. (2) Stress resulted in an increase in the power of the beta in the resting state EEG. (3) Acute stress caused an increase in the duration of class D and an increase in the transition probabilities from classes C and B to class D in the microstates of the resting state EEG. (4) Acute stress leads to an increase in beta power values in individuals' resting state EEGs, which is significantly negatively correlated with the reduction of the conflict effect in the Stroop task under stress. Acute stress can enhance individuals' attentional level, thereby promoting inhibitory control performance.

Development and validation of an image-based questionnaire ARTROVIS to identify risk factors for the articular syndrome and related conditions

Background: The importance of timely diagnosis of rheumatic diseases is beyond any doubt. However, in the real practice the time from manifestation of the first symptoms to the assessment by a rheumatologist and treatment administration often exceeds the window of opportunity for disease control. At the moment, there has been no Russian-language questionnaire that would allow a primary care physician to suspect a rheumatic disease manifesting with an articular syndrome. Aim: To develop, validate and test a questionnaire to identify risk factors for joint disorders and related conditions. Methods: From November 2022 to April 2024, we performed the study on the image-based questionnaire on identification of the risk factors for joint syndromes and associated conditions (ARTROVIS), which we have developed for early detection of both joint syndromes, as well as comorbid conditions associated with elevated serum uric acid levels (hyperuricemia). The initial test version of the questionnaire was tested in a focus group of respondents (n = 20) who came for regular medical examination. Based on the results of this face validity assessment, we corrected the wording of 10 questionnaire items. At the second study step, we assessed the primary validity and reliability of the questionnaire in a group of 41 rheumatology patients. The third study step involved 828 respondents (408 men and 420 women, median age 19 [18,0; 20,0] years; 21% with joint syndromes), who came for routine medical examination. The reliability of the questionnaire, its face and discriminant validity, as well as sensitivity and specificity (the ROC analysis) were assessed from 827 questionnaires included in the final processing (one was excluded due to questionnaire completion defects). Results: The self-report questionnaire for patients (ARTROVIS) has 24 items aimed at collecting social and demographic data, identifying risk factors for non-communicable diseases, assessing genetic aspects, identifying complaints from various organ systems, providing information on medical treatments taken by the patient (non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents, diuretics, antihypertensives, glucocorticosteroids, chemotherapy and radiation therapy), as well as an additional question for women on current pregnancy pathology. The questionnaire contains visual aids (colored photos) that facilitate the detection of clinical signs of autoimmune (psoriatic arthritis, Reynolds’s syndrome) and inflammatory rheumatic disease (gout), as well as the differential diagnosis of the joint syndrome. The assessment of face validity of the questionnaire showed the total number of missed answers of 3.42%; 62.85% of the respondents gave their full answers to all items. Good discriminant validity was demonstrated. The ROC analysis showed high correlation between the questionnaire score and the presence of a joint syndrome: the area under the curve was 0.884. The Cronbach’s alfa was 0.798, which is sufficient for a medical questionnaire. Conclusion: We have performed the approbation and standardization of the questionnaire to identify risk factors for the joint syndrome and related comorbidities by assessing its validity and reliability. The ARTROVIS as a self-report questionnaire can be used in primary care as a tool enabling general practitioners and internists to decide on further patient routing to corresponding specialists.

Surgical treatment of meningiomas improves neurocognitive functioning and quality of life – a prospective single-center study

Background and purposeEarly diagnosis and the refinement of treatment of patients with intracranial meningiomas have brought quality of life (QoL) and neurocognitive functioning as outcome measures into focus. The aim of this study is a comprehensive assessment of neurocognitive function, quality of life and the presence of depression in meningioma patients before and after surgery.MethodsPatients with MRI diagnosis of intracranial meningioma and indication for surgery were prospectively included. A clinical neuropsychologist performed neurocognitive assessments within 3 months before and 12 months after surgery. The test battery included investigation of selective and divided attention, verbal and figural memory, executive functioning, and word fluency. Self-report questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, QoL, and disease coping were administered. Raw values and t-values were compared pre-and postoperatively. Outcome was stratified by tumor- and peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) volumes, postoperative resolution of PTBE and WHO grade. The study included 18 predominantly female patients (83%) with a median age of 59 years and mostly CNS WHO grade 1 meningiomas (83%).ResultsThere was a significant postoperative improvement in the ability to selectively react under stress, in working memory and improved delayed reproduction of verbal and visual memory content. QoL improved regarding a reduction in physical problems, an improvement in energy, and social functioning. There was a trend towards worse preoperative scores in all tests, and greater postoperative improvement in patients with PTBE. Tumor volume had no effect on the measured outcome. The patients did not suffer from depressive symptoms before the surgery but improved postoperatively and most patients had an active, problem-oriented coping strategy.ConclusionResection of intracranial meningiomas leads to an improvement in multiple neurocognitive domains and QoL. There is a trend towards poorer preoperative neurocognitive functioning and greater postoperative improvement in patients with PTBE. Depression appears to play a minor role in the context of neurocognitive functioning and disease coping.

Improvements in clinical signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease using photobiomodulation: a five-year follow-up

BackgroundParkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by clinical motor signs and non-motor symptoms that severely impact quality of life. There is an urgent need for therapies that might slow, halt or even reverse the progression of existing symptoms or delay the onset of new symptoms. Photobiomodulation is a therapy that has shown potential to alleviate some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in animal studies and in small clinical trials.ObjectiveTo assess long-term effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy in a cohort of Parkinson’s disease individuals after five years of continuing therapy.MethodsEight participants of the initial 12 in a previously published study agreed to be reassessed after five years. Seven of these participants had continued home-based, self-applied photobiomodulation therapy three times per week for five years. One participant had discontinued treatment after one year. Participants were assessed for a range of clinical motor signs, including MDS-UPDRS-III, measures of mobility and balance. Cognition was assessed objectively, and quality of life and sleep quality were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to evaluate change in outcome measures between baseline (before treatment) and after five years, with the alpha value set to 0.05.ResultsOf the seven participants who had continued photobiomodulation therapy, one had a preliminary diagnosis of multisystem atrophy and was excluded from the group analysis. For the remaining six participants, there was a significant improvement in walk speed, stride length, timed up-and-go tests, tests of dynamic balance, and cognition compared to baseline and nonsignificant improvements in all other measures, apart from MDS-UPDRS-III, which was unchanged and one measure of static balance (single leg stance, standing on the unaffected leg with eyes open) which declined. Five of six participants either improved or showed no decline in MDS-UPDRS-III score and most participants showed improvement or no decline in all other outcome measures. No adverse effects of the photobiomodulation therapy were reported.ConclusionsThis study provides a signal that photobiomodulation therapy might safely reduce important clinical motor signs and non-motor symptoms in some Parkinson’s disease patients, with improvements maintained over several years. Home-based photobiomodulation therapy has the potential to complement standard therapies to manage symptoms and potentially delay Parkinson’s symptom progression.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, registration number ACTRN12618000038291p, registered on 12/01/2018.

Physical activity combined with tea consumption could further reduce all-cause and cancer-specific mortality

The study aimed to comprehensively assess the separate and combined effects of physical activity (PA) and tea consumption on all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality among 21,350 participants from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2009 and 2018. PA and tea consumption were evaluated through self-reported questionnaires and dietary recall interviews at baseline, with mortality data from the National Death Index. Cox regression analyses yielded hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results indicated that both tea consumption and PA independently reduced all-cause mortality. In the physically active group, tea consumption further decreased mortality risk, while this effect was not significant in the inactive group. Jointly, the highest tea consumers who exercised the most exhibited the lowest mortality risk compared to non-tea drinkers who exercised the least. Tea consumption alone does not significantly impact cancer-specific mortality; it is only in physically active group that tea consumption significantly lowers the risk of cancer-specific mortality. These findings underscore the potential benefits of regular tea consumption and PA in promoting longevity and reducing premature death risks.

Exploring cognitive behavioral mechanisms related to dissociation among patients suffering from schizophrenia: A pilot study

IntroductionDissociation is a challenging syndrome present in multiple psychiatric disorders for which no gold standard treatment exists. Recently, some authors have developed a Cognitive Behavioral Model of dissociation, offering new insights for psychotherapy. However, this model has primarily been assessed in patients suffering from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the relevance of this conceptualization in patients suffering from schizophrenia. MethodWe recruited 20 patients (15 men) suffering from schizophrenia. After providing consent, they completed self-reported questionnaires assessing dissociation, PTSD, beliefs about emotion, beliefs about dissociation, mindfulness abilities, and emotion regulation. Then, they responded to three open-ended questions exploring the triggers of dissociation and strategies used to counteract it. ResultsWe found a low prevalence of the different cognitive-behavioral mechanisms related to dissociation in our sample. However, we found significant relationships between these mechanisms and dissociative symptoms. This relationship was also identified in the qualitative analysis. ConclusionThe present results offer primary data supporting the relevance of the cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of dissociation in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Further studies should be conducted with larger samples and include additional variables to enhance the understanding of dissociation in this population.

Determinants of Visual Impairment Among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Risk Prediction Model Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

Visual impairment (VI) is a prevalent global health issue, affecting over 2.2 billion people worldwide, with nearly half of the Chinese population aged 60 years and older being affected. Early detection of high-risk VI is essential for preventing irreversible vision loss among Chinese middle-aged and older adults. While machine learning (ML) algorithms exhibit significant predictive advantages, their application in predicting VI risk among the general middle-aged and older adult population in China remains limited. This study aimed to predict VI and identify its determinants using ML algorithms. We used 19,047 participants from 4 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) that were conducted between 2011 and 2018. To envisage the prevalence of VI, we generated a geographical distribution map. Additionally, we constructed a model using indicators of a self-reported questionnaire, a physical examination, and blood biomarkers as predictors. Multiple ML algorithms, including gradient boosting machine, distributed random forest, the generalized linear model, deep learning, and stacked ensemble, were used for prediction. We plotted receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves to assess the predictive performance. Variable importance analysis was used to identify key predictors. Among all participants, 33.9% (6449/19,047) had VI. Qinghai, Chongqing, Anhui, and Sichuan showed the highest VI rates, while Beijing and Xinjiang had the lowest. The generalized linear model, gradient boosting machine, and stacked ensemble achieved acceptable area under curve values of 0.706, 0.710, and 0.715, respectively, with the stacked ensemble performing best. Key predictors included hearing impairment, self-expectation of health status, pain, age, hand grip strength, depression, night sleep duration, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and arthritis or rheumatism. Nearly one-third of middle-aged and older adults in China had VI. The prevalence of VI shows regional variations, but there are no distinct east-west or north-south distribution differences. ML algorithms demonstrate accurate predictive capabilities for VI. The combination of prediction models and variable importance analysis provides valuable insights for the early identification and intervention of VI among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Adverse childhood experiences, economic challenges and suicide risk under COVID-19 pandemic: results from U-CORONA study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the synergistic effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and economic challenges on suicide risk, under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, using a prospective population-based cohort study. Design/methodology/approach Participants included 435 adults (aged from 18 to 92 years, mean = 53.8) from the Utsunomiya COVID-19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U-CORONA) study, a population-based longitudinal study in Utsunomiya city, Japan. The baseline survey was conducted in June 2020, between the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. ACEs were assessed using 13 items, and economic challenges due to the COVID-19 were assessed using one item. In the follow-up study, conducted in October 2020 between the second and the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, suicide risk was assessed using six items from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview via a self-reported questionnaire. Findings This study found positive independent association between ACEs and economic challenges due to COVID-19 and suicide risk. Synergistic effects were also found: the participants with one ACE and economic challenges and those with 2+ ACEs and economic challenges were more likely to be at higher risk of suicide compared to those without ACEs and economic challenges. Originality/value The findings suggest that adults with a higher number of ACEs, in addition to severe economic challenges, were more likely to be at risk for suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Level of Depression among Health Students at Al-Quds University

Background Students' physical and psychological well-being, particularly with a focus on depression, is a significant public health concern. Objective This study aims to explore the level of depression among health students at Al-Quds University. Methods In this assay, a cross-sectional study using a self-reporting questionnaire was conducted. To evaluate the degree of depression among students, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used. The sample comprised 357 students from Al-Quds University in the West Bank. Results The results of the study showed that depression impacted 40.3% of the subjects. Of these, 32% experienced moderate to severe depression symptoms, 24% had thoughts or wishes related to suicide, and 6.7% believed that death was the answer to their issues. The findings demonstrated that there were statistically significant variations in depression based on gender, age, study year, study geographical area, place of residence, level of religiosity, and thoughts of death (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion To protect their well-being, mental health professionals should advise students to seek assistance and therapy. University administrators should assist students in learning time management and stress-reduction strategies so they can finish their assignments and fulfill other course obligations.

Supplementation with whey peptide rich in β-lactolin improves trait anxiety and subjective stress in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Mental disorders have become one of the most burdensome health concerns. We have previously demonstrated that whey-derived β-lactolin (glycine-thereonine-tryptophan-tyrosine tetrapeptide) activates dopaminergic systems and improves psychiatric function in rodents. However, the effects of β-lactolin on human mood states have not been investigated. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with β-lactolin-rich whey peptide on human mood states. Sixty healthy adults (aged 45-64 years) with relatively low psychological health were randomly allocated to receive either whey peptide (containing β-lactolin 1.6mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks. Mood states (primary outcomes) were evaluated using self-reporting questionnaires. Health-related quality of life (QOL), salivary stress marker and lipid mediator levels were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Compared with placebo, supplementation with β-lactolin improved changes in trait anxiety (p = 0.046), as assessed using the state-trait anxiety inventory, and in subjective stress (p = 0.043), as assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. In the assessment of QOL, changes in the vitality subscale and mental health summary score of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were improved in the β-lactolin group. The levels of salivary immunoglobulin A were significantly higher in the β-lactolin group. In a subgroup analysis by median age (54.5 years), subjective stress and salivary prostaglandin levels were significantly decreased by β-lactolin supplementation in the 45-54 -year-old subgroup. In conclusion, supplementation with β-lactolin improves trait anxiety, subjective stress, and psychological QOL, which may be associated with immunologic responses detected via salivary analysis.

Feasibility of ecological momentary assessment in measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour in shift and non-shift workers

BackgroundPrevious studies assessing shift workers’ behaviours have mainly used self-report recall questionnaires, however these measures don’t always account for variations in work schedules. Alternative methods that allow for real-time assessments tailored to capture variations in work patterns might provide more accurate measures of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), which provides real-time evaluations of PA and SB in shift workers. A secondary aim was to compare shift workers and non-shift worker responses.MethodsParticipants (n = 120; 58% female, mean Mage=36.0), included 69 shift workers and 51 non-shift workers. After downloading the EMA app, shift workers received either interval-contingent tailored (SW-T) or standardized EMA prompts (SW-S) over 7–10 days, while non-shift workers received standardized prompts (NSW-S) for seven days. Prompts were scheduled five times daily, every three hours. The EMA survey asked participants to report their current activity, including type, duration, and location of physical activity and sitting. Feasibility was assessed by analysing recruitment, retention, and compliance rates (EMA surveys completed) across SW-T, SW-S, and NSW-S groups.ResultsApproximately 78% of invited workers enrolled, and all enrolled workers completed at least one prompt on 4 out 7 days in the NSW-S and 7 out of 10 days in the SW group. Workers who chose not to participate reported unwillingness to travel for meetings (n = 14), while others did not respond (n = 20). Participants completed an average of 24 surveys per day, each one taking less than 30 s to complete. Overall, 64% of EMA surveys were started and completed. SW-S completed the least prompts (57%), while SW-T and NSW-S completed 64% and 68%, respectively (p = 0.90). On average, workers missed 36% EMA surveys which was similar for SW and NSW (p = 0.05).ConclusionOur study represents one of the few studies that has used EMA in the shift work population with adaptation to shift schedules. The findings showed a modest compliance to EMA. Strategies are needed to enhance compliance rates. However, EMA shows promise for capturing real-time behaviours in shift workers’ natural work environments.

Does the use of mobile instant messaging in the workplace increase employees’ workload?

ABSTRACT Introduction The impact of instant messaging (IM) tools on employee workload is a concern in both academic and professional contexts. Despite the widespread use of mobile instant messaging (MIM) and its challenges for organizations, research on this topic remains limited. Objective This study aims to explore the mediating roles of interactivity and job interruption, and the moderating role of communication quality, in the relationship between MIM use and perceived workload, using the job demands-resources model, distraction-conflict theory, and media synchronicity theory. Method A total of 235 employees completed self-report questionnaires measuring MIM use, interactivity, job interruption, perceived workload, and communication quality. Results The study found that MIM use has indirect effects on perceived workload. While MIM usage increases interactivity, reducing perceived workload, it also increases job interruptions, leading to a higher perceived workload. Mediation analysis showed that both job interruption and interactivity mediate the MIM use-workload relationship. Furthermore, communication quality weakens the negative impact of interactivity on perceived workload and the positive impact of job interruption on perceived workload. Conclusion These findings challenge the belief that IM is solely disruptive in the workplace, highlighting the importance of communication quality for effective management. This enhances our understanding of MIM's role in corporate and personal productivity.

Knowledge toward quality improvement among Jordanian nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

Nurses have a critical role in quality improvement (QI) and patient safety. This necessitates gaining knowledge and mastering QI abilities to lead and participate in QI programs in clinical practice. To assess undergraduate nursing students' knowledge about QI, and experience of patient safety situation; and examine the relationship between obtaining information on healthcare quality and knowledge about QI in Jordan. A descriptive cross-sectional correlational design was used. The study engaged undergraduate nursing students from two Jordanian universities (Public and private universities). A convenient sample of 147 nursing undergraduate students from universities. Data were collected using paper-based self-reported questionnaires. The Quality Improvement Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (QulSKA) survey and the Healthcare Professional Patient Safety Assessment Curriculum Survey (HPPSACS) were used to assess knowledge about QI and patient safety. Out of 152 students, 147 completed the study. Overall, QI knowledge was moderate (mean score 57.7). Students from the private university scored significantly higher than public university students. Regarding patient safety, 74.8% of students observed medical errors in clinical areas. However, only 57.1% of the students disclosed a medical error to a faculty member. Also, the results showed a significant positive correlation between knowledge level about QI and obtaining information about QI, quality in healthcare, and patient safety from sources other than the undergraduate nursing program at universities (p≤.001). This study suggests a potential gap in QI education. Integrating QI concepts into nursing curricula may be necessary to prepare future nurses for healthcare quality improvement.