Gender and Somatosensory Amplification in Relation to Perceived Work Stress and Social Support in Japanese Workers

Prevalence of Digital Eye Strain Among University Students and Its Association with Virtual Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction

The prolonged use of digital devices is a major risk factor for digital eye strain (DES) syndrome.

Aim

To estimate the prevalence of DES symptoms among students at Imam Abdulrahman University who use digital devices for virtual learning and leisure activities.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted by asking medical students of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University to complete a self-administered online questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to determine the effect of the hours spent on digital devices and other factors, such as screen distance and not using artificial tears, on the development of DES. The severity (moderate or severe) and frequency (occasionally, always, or never) of 16 eye strain-related symptoms, including eye pain, headache, and itching, were evaluated by using the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire.

Results

The overall prevalence of DES in the sample was found to be 68.53%. The largest proportion of students were found to have mild DES (43.20%), and only 11% had severe DES. The most common symptoms reported in our sample were headache, dryness, and burning. Female gender, using smartphones for online classes, and not using eye lubricants were significantly associated with increased severity of DES.

Conclusion

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual learning has become an integral part of education, leading to increased use of digital technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of virtual learning on eye strain and to determine the prevalence and effects of DES. A questionnaire was administered to participants, and the findings revealed a DES prevalence of 68.53%. The use of eye drops for lubrication and smartphones for classes was significantly associated with DES. Furthermore, females were found to be more susceptible to severe DES symptoms than males. The development of a tool such as the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire to predict DES prevalence could reduce clinic time and resources by minimizing unnecessary follow-up and ophthalmology referrals.

The Effect of Online Education on Healthy Eyes of Saudi Teachers in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Local Study

Background

Digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome (CVS) manifests as eye fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to screens and exaggerated by some attitudes. Online education plays a crucial role in helping schools, instructors, and universities ensure the continuity of the education process during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a lack of attention given to the effects of online teaching on teachers’ eyes health during the pandemic and is nearly nonexistent. Hence, we aim to evaluate this among teachers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Methodology

A cross-sectional electronic self-administered questionnaire was distributed through social media applications among teachers in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The survey contained three main parts: biographical data, educational status, and eye health scale before and during the pandemic. All statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results

A total sample of 301 teachers was identified with ages ranging from 22 to 60 years, the majority were female (75.4%). Twenty-four point nine percent (24.9%) of the sample have a chronic disease, and 17.3% had previous LASIK surgery. Twenty-four point nine percent (24.9%) spent two to five hours teaching before the pandemic versus 60.8% with online education during the pandemic spent two to five hours daily. Fifty-two point eight percent (52.8%) of the teachers kept the distance between them and the digital screen at less than 50 cm. Eighty-one point four percent (81.4%) of teachers reported severe to moderate effects of online teaching using a computer/tablet/phone on their eye health. Fifty-two point two percent (52.2%) reported headache.

Conclusion

There is an obvious negative effect reflected by subjects’ symptomatology and complaints in their eyes. This should prompt health authorities to provide better teaching equipment and accessibility to essential eye care to teachers.

Different Strokes for Different Folks: The BodyMind Approach as a Learning Tool for Patients With Medically Unexplained Symptoms to Self-Manage

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common in both primary and secondary health care. It is gradually being acknowledged that there needs to be a variety of interventions for patients with MUS to meet the needs of different groups of patients with such chronic long-term symptoms. The proposed intervention described herewith is called The BodyMind Approach (TBMA) and promotes learning for self-management through establishing a dynamic and continuous process of emotional self-regulation. The problem is the mismatch between the patient’s mind-set and profile and current interventions. This theoretical article, based on practice-based evidence, takes forward the idea that different approaches (other than cognitive behavioral therapy) are required for people with MUS. The mind-set and characteristics of patients with MUS are reflected upon to shape the rationale and design of this novel approach. Improving services for this population in primary care is crucial to prevent the iterative spiraling downward of frequent general practitioner (GP) visits, hospital appointments, and accident and emergency attendance (A&E), all of which are common for these patients. The approach derives from embodied psychotherapy (authentic movement in dance movement psychotherapy) and adult models of learning for self-management. It has been developed from research and practice-based evidence. In this article the problem of MUS in primary care is introduced and the importance of the reluctance of patients to accept a psychological/mental health referral in the first instance is drawn out. A description of the theoretical underpinnings and philosophy of the proposed alternative to current interventions is then presented related to the design, delivery, facilitation, and educational content of the program. The unique intervention is also described to give the reader a flavor.

Computer vision syndrome and ergonomic practices among undergraduate university students

AIM

To determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) and ergonomic practices among students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was done with a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Four hundred and nine students participated; 78% were females. The mean age was 21.6 years. Neck pain (75.1%), eye strain (67%), shoulder pain (65.5%) and eye burn (61.9%) were the most common CVS symptoms. Dry eyes (26.2%), double vision (28.9%) and blurred vision (51.6%) were the least commonly experienced symptoms. Eye burning (P = .001), eye strain (P = .041) and neck pain (P = .023) were significantly related to level of viewing. Moderate eye burning (55.1%) and double vision (56%) occurred in those who used handheld devices (P = .001 and .007, respectively). Moderate blurred vision was reported in 52% who looked down at the device compared with 14.8% who held it at an angle. Severe eye strain occurred in 63% of those who looked down at a device compared with 21% who kept the device at eye level. Shoulder pain was not related to pattern of use.

CONCLUSION

Ocular symptoms and neck pain were less likely if the device was held just below eye level. There is a high prevalence of Symptoms of CVS amongst university students which could be reduced, in particular neck pain and eye strain and burning, with improved ergonomic practices.

Effects of a wearable type lumbosacral support for low back pain among hospital workers: A randomized controlled trial

Objective:

To examine the effects of a new wearable type of lumbosacral support on low back pain.

Methods:

A total of 121 healthcare workers participated in this study. They were randomly allocated into the experimental and control groups and the former wore the support with signals of compression on the back by poor posture for the first 3 months. The control group remained on a waiting list for the first 3 months. Medical history, musculoskeletal symptoms, feeling in good posture, sleep habits, psychological distress, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) were evaluated. The range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder and hip joints as well as spinal alignment were evaluated. Our primary concern was the difference in the change of low back pain measured by visual analog scale (VAS) between the two groups.

Results:

A total of 54 participants in the experimental and 53 participants in the control groups were analyzed. VAS and SSAS scores as well as lumbar spinal ROM in the experimental group significantly decreased. Low back pain (OR=0.401, 95% CI=0.168-0.954) and neck pain in the experimental group (OR=0.198, 95% CI=0.052-0.748) significantly decreased.

Conclusions:

The new lumbar support reduced VAS and SSAS scores, lumbar spinal ROM, low back pain, and neck pain. This new type of lumbar support reduced low back pain among healthcare workers.

Computer use and vision-related problems among university students in ajman, United arab emirate

Background:

The extensive use of computers as medium of teaching and learning in universities necessitates introspection into the extent of computer related health disorders among student population.

Aim:

This study was undertaken to assess the pattern of computer usage and related visual problems, among University students in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 500 Students studying in Gulf Medical University, Ajman and Ajman University of Science and Technology were recruited into this study. Demographic characteristics, pattern of usage of computers and associated visual symptoms were recorded in a validated self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of the observed differences between the variables. The level of statistical significance was at P < 0.05. The crude odds ratio (OR) was determined using simple binary logistic regression and adjusted OR was calculated using the multiple logistic regression.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 20.4 (3.2) years. The analysis of racial data reveals that 50% (236/471) students were from Middle East, 32% (151/471) from other parts of Asia, 11% (52/471) from Africa, 4% (19/471) from America and 3% (14/471) from Europe. The most common visual problems reported among computer users were headache - 53.3% (251/471), burning sensation in the eyes - 54.8% (258/471) and tired eyes - 48% (226/471). Female students were found to be at a higher risk. Nearly 72% of students reported frequent interruption of computer work. Headache caused interruption of work in 43.85% (110/168) of the students while tired eyes caused interruption of work in 43.5% (98/168) of the students. When the screen was viewed at distance more than 50 cm, the prevalence of headaches decreased by 38% (50-100 cm – OR: 0.62, 95% of the confidence interval [CI]: 0.42-0.92). Prevalence of tired eyes increased by 89% when screen filters were not used (OR: 1.894, 95% CI: 1.065-3.368).

Conclusion:

High prevalence of vision related problems was noted among university students. Sustained periods of close screen work without screen filters were found to be associated with occurrence of the symptoms and increased interruptions of work of the students. There is a need to increase the ergonomic awareness among students and corrective measures need to be implemented to reduce the impact of computer related vision problems.

The challenges in providing services to clients with mental illness: managed care, burnout and somatic symptoms among social workers

This study examined the relationship between social workers' experiences when interfacing with managed care organizations and burnout. A total of 591 social workers completed questionnaires that included several measures: Self-perceived competence in the context of managed care, professional involvement with clients with severe mental illness, and burnout. Results showed that self-perceived competence in the context of managed care had statistically significant correlations with burnout dimensions. The author discusses the role of social work schools in preparing students for the realistic aspects of mental health work, and recommends a partnership between managed care organizations and professionals for best care giving.

Work stress and driving anger in Japan

We investigated the relationship between work stress arising from effort-reward imbalance at work (ERI) and driving anger in a community sample of workers in Nagoya, a mid-sized city in Japan. We hypothesised that ERI would exert a positive effect on driving anger via its influence on trait anger. The study also pioneered the use of the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) in a non-western country and explored cultural differences in the experience of anger on the road. A random sample of 215 (N = 138, 64% females; N = 77, 36% males) full-time Japanese workers was obtained through random selection of one participant per household in three randomly selected suburbs (response rate 71% of each eligible participant approached). Participants completed a confidential self-report questionnaire. Japanese motorists reported significantly higher levels of ERI than all comparative western samples, and lower total driving anger and anger on all DAS subscales compared with American and Australian samples. British and Japanese drivers did not differ significantly on total driving anger. The findings indicate that Japanese may possess a different acceptance and expression of anger on the road. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses supported our hypothesis. Stress experienced in the workplace originating from a perceived disparity in extrinsic efforts and rewards was associated with increased enduring feelings of anger in employees, and through this anger an elevated level of aggressive feelings on the road. Stress from ERI may spill over into other domains, and changes at work are necessary to alleviate the impact on the individual, organisation and economy.

Associations of insomnia with job strain, control, and support among male Japanese workers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between job stress and insomnia among office workers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study examined 1209 male workers (mean age 43 years) at periodic health checkups in 2007. Insomnia was defined as consistently experiencing any of three sleep disorder symptoms (i.e., difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early-morning awakening) in a recent two-week period. Job stress indices included job demand, control, strain (job demand/control), and social support, as measured by the Job Content Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The prevalence of insomnia was 4.7%. After adjusting for age, perceived daily stress, sleep dissatisfaction, lifestyle factors, and physical comorbidities, the risk of insomnia increased with a higher degree of job strain (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence intervals 1.3-4.0) and decreased with a higher degree of job control (0.5, 0.3-0.8). The combination of high job strain with low degree of control or social support had an approximately three times higher risk of insomnia than that of low job strain with high degree of control or support.

CONCLUSIONS

Both job strain and job control had an independent effect on insomnia, and the association between job strain and insomnia was mediated by the buffering effects of control and support.

Clinical application of somatosensory amplification in psychosomatic medicine

Many patients with somatoform disorders are frequently encountered in psychosomatic clinics as well as in primary care clinics. To assess such patients objectively, the concept of somatosensory amplification may be useful. Somatosensory amplification refers to the tendency to experience a somatic sensation as intense, noxious, and disturbing. It may have a role in a variety of medical conditions characterized by somatic symptoms that are disproportionate to demonstrable organ pathology. It may also explain some of the variability in somatic symptomatology found among different patients with the same serious medical disorder. It has been assessed with a self-report questionnaire, the Somatosensory Amplification Scale. This instrument was developed in a clinical setting in the U.S., and the reliability and validity of the Japanese and Turkish versions have been confirmed as well.

Many studies have attempted to clarify the specific role of somatosensory amplification as a pathogenic mechanism in somatization. It has been reported that somatosensory amplification does not correlate with heightened sensitivity to bodily sensations and that emotional reactivity exerts its influence on somatization via a negatively biased reporting style. According to our recent electroencephalographic study, somatosensory amplification appears to reflect some aspects of long-latency cognitive processing rather than short-latency interoceptive sensitivity.

The concept of somatosensory amplification can be useful as an indicator of somatization in the therapy of a broad range of disorders, from impaired self-awareness to various psychiatric disorders. It also provides useful information for choosing appropriate pharmacological or psychological therapy. While somatosensory amplification has a role in the presentation of somatic symptoms, it is closely associated with other factors, namely, anxiety, depression, and alexithymia that may also influence the same. The specific role of somatosensory amplification with regard to both neurological and psychological function should be clarified in future studies. In this paper, we will explain the concept of amplification and describe its role in psychosomatic illness.

Measuring Visual Discomfort in College Students

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to measure the distribution visual discomfort symptoms in a group of college students using a survey developed by Conlon et al. and to analyze the type and frequency of symptoms in the subjects who display moderate to high amounts of visual discomfort to ascertain if this condition occurs along a single dimension or consists of different subtypes.

METHODS

Members of the research team administered a survey of visual discomfort developed by Conlon et al. (Conlon et al., Vis Cogn 1999;6:637-666) to 571 college students at the Claremont Colleges University over a 2-year period. The survey for measuring visual discomfort developed by Conlon consists of 23 items with a four-point scale (0 to 3) (see below). Scores on the survey can range from 0 to 69.

RESULTS

A Rasch analysis of the survey results showed that a single symptom dimension accounted for 73.5% of the variance. A principle component analysis of the residual variance from the Rasch analysis yielded three factors: factor 1 was associated with text movement and fading; factor 2 was associated with headache and soreness; and factor 3 was associated primarily with blur and diplopia.

CONCLUSIONS

The survey developed by Conlon is an appropriate measure of visual discomfort. In addition to the single dimension reported by Conlon, we found that some subjects with moderate to high amounts of visual discomfort tended to report particular types of symptoms. These results suggest that there may be multiple etiologies of visual discomfort.