Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation therapy as a worksite health promotion program in the automobile assembly line

Evaluation and Comparison of Relaxation-Related Workplace Interventions Among Office Workers at an Insurance Institution: An Intervention Study

Relaxation-related workplace interventions can be counterstrategies for stress due to office work and should be evaluated for success after implementation. This study reports on the evaluation and comparison of 3 relaxation techniques introduced as an intervention for health promotion. A Germany-wide multicenter evaluation of a 3-month relaxation intervention (30 min, once a week) including autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or Tai Chi was conducted at 14 locations as an intervention study. Anonymous questionnaires (n = 244) were used to collect self-reports of perceived stress after the courses. Status before the courses (pre) and after completion (post) were reported at the end of the intervention. All 3 relaxation techniques were able to improve the subjective perception of stress (SPS) score. Autogenic training was reported to improve all singular items with large effects, whereas only 2 items showed change for Tai Chi and none for PMR. Singular items were also influenced by the location of the courses. All 3 methods were able to improve stress-related outcomes in terms of stress perception and individual aspects of stress management. For this specific intervention autogenic training yielded the largest and wide-ranging effects. Tai Chi was also effective, but additional effect due to an associated increase in physical activity were not found. For a workplace intervention PMR could not be recommended based on this study. The literature on workplace interventions is surprisingly scarce, and future studies should focus on the selection of appropriate participants while avoiding potential bias.

Efficacy of an Online Workplace Mental Health Accommodations Psychoeducational Course: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Workplace accommodations can improve work functioning for employees with mental health concerns, yet few employees receive accommodations. The current study examined the benefits of providing education on workplace accommodations. In total, 89 participants with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety were randomized to an online psychoeducation course or wait-list control (WLC). The course provided education on symptoms, accommodations, tips for requesting accommodations and making disclosures, and coping strategies. Primary outcomes included the impact of the course on requesting and receiving accommodations, accommodation knowledge, self-stigma, and workplace relationships at 8 weeks post-randomization. Additional analyses examined the impact of the course on symptoms, absenteeism, presenteeism, and self-efficacy and whether supervisory leadership and organizational inclusivity impact disclosure and accommodation use. Participants in the course reported improvements in accommodation knowledge, self-efficacy, and presenteeism compared to the WLC. Both groups reported reduced self-stigma and increased disclosures over time. Specifically, partial disclosures were associated with supportive organizations and supervisors. No group differences were found on accommodation use, symptoms, workplace relationships, or comfort with disclosure. Few participants made accommodation requests, therefore a statistical analysis on requesting or receiving accommodations was not performed. Overall, providing psychoeducation has the potential to assist individuals with depression and anxiety who may require workplace accommodations, but further research is required.

Can Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi Breathing Work Support the Psycho-Immune Homeostasis during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Narrative Review

Breathing is crucial in life; nevertheless, the healthcare community often overlooks the health potential of breathing techniques. Conscious manipulation of breathing to achieve specific health goals is found in yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi. This paper reviews the value of breathing exercises as a foremost mechanism for promoting, recuperating and maintaining health. Practices involving breathing techniques are described, and their prophylactic or therapeutic characteristics are explored. The main goals of this review are: (i) to summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that breathing practices have a significant beneficial impact on human health; (ii) to provide a deeper understanding of traditional biofeedback practices, particularly yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi, and outline their focus on breathing techniques; (iii) to outline specific immune-related responses, relevant for COVID-19 disorders; and (iv) to call for committed attention and action from the scientific community and health agencies in promoting the implementation of a practical and costless health program based on breathing techniques. This review shows the health potentials of breathing practices and exercises, which, by having a high benefit-cost ratio, could be selected and implemented as a primary standard routine in public health programs.

The application of FGD to support concept of National Policy on health and safety work procedures on ATC employees in Indonesia

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to conduct a focused discussion regarding the concept of a national policy on health and safety work procedures for ATC employees in Indonesia.

METHODS

The research is a qualitative study with case study design. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method. A total of 11 informants participated in this study. Data were analyzed with content analysis method.

RESULTS

It was found that all informants have positive perception to this model and agree to support the ATC employee's policy development.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that in general, all informants support the concept of a national policy on health and safety work procedures for ATC employees in Indonesia. Therefore, it is hoped that a policy will be formed that focuses on improving ATC performance so that it can work healthy and safely.

The effects of "Workplace Health Promotion Program" in nurses: A randomized controlled trial and one-year follow-up

In this study, the authors examined the effects of the "Workplace Health Promotion Program" (WHPP) on pain, fatigue, stress, professional quality of life (Pro-QoL), and coping skills for nurses. The authors conducted a randomized control trial in 30 nurses who agreed to participate in this study. Progressive relaxation training, posture and breath exercises, and ergonomic suggestions as a WHPP were applied to the intervention group (n = 15) during the five weeks. The intervention group showed decrease in pain (p = .001), fatigue (p = .001), and stress levels (p = .003) and increase in coping skills and Pro-QoL (p < .05). In contrast, the authors observed no improvement in the control group. The authors concluded at the end of the study that WHPP remains effective in nurses.

A cross-sectional study on the role of stress in hyperglycemia and the effect of Mahatiktaka Kashaya (an Ayurvedic formulation) in its management

Background:

Stress is a potential contributer to chronic hyperglycemia. PittaPrakriti (body constitution) individuals are more prone to stress and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in stressed out individuals is much more. Aim of study was to evaluate the role of stress in hyperglycemia in individuals of Pitta predominant constitution and to assess the effectiveness of MahatiktakaKashaya in stress-induced hyperglycemia.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 Pitta predominant patients having fasting blood sugar level greater than 140 mg/dl, to find the association of stress and hyperglycemia, using International Stress Management Association questionnaire followed by open lebelled clinical trial with MahatiktakaKashaya (Decoction). Trial drug was administered at a dose of 15 ml twice daily for 14 days. Assessment was done before and after the treatment.

Observation and Analysis:

80% of Pitta predominant individuals have reported stress-associated hyperglycemia. Overall effect of MahatiktakaKashaya in major domains of Stress Assessment Questionnaire, i.e., symptoms, stability and strategies was significant. Furthermore, the trial drug showed significant improvement in biochemical parameters of diabetes.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that there is significant association between stress and hyperglycemia in the individuals of Pitta constitution. MahatiktakaKashaya is found to be highly significant in stress-associated hyperglycemia in the above said group.

Depressive symptoms in Chinese assembly-line migrant workers: A case study in the shoe-making industry

INTRODUCTION

Assembly-line migrant workers (AMWs), as a major workforce in China, may be at particularly high risk of depression due to their relative low social economic status and particular job characteristics. However, little is known about the frequency and characteristics of depression among Chinese AMWs. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in Chinese AMWs.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional survey, 915 Chinese AMWs from two shoe-making factories completed a standardized questionnaire to report their socio-demographics, physical health, migration, and work. They also reported their depressive symptoms by completing the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF). We conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors related to depression.

RESULTS

We found that 31.7% of AMWs were clinically depressed (BDI-SF ≥ 8). The multiple regression model included age, self-rated physical health, pain, family relationships, having no good friends at the same factory, and working under high pressure.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that depression is common among Chinese AMWs. We argue that there is an urgent need for health care providers and factory managers to work on the early identification of AMWs, who are at high risk for depression. Psychological and psychiatric treatments are necessary in the Chinese labor-intensive industries.

The worksite heart health improvement project's impact on behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease in long-term care: A randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Long-term care workers are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, in part because of their poor health habits.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to test the impact of the Worksite Heart Health Improvement Project (WHHIP) on subjective behavioral cardiovascular risk factors over time among long-term care staff.

DESIGN

The WHHIP was a 12-month cluster randomized control trial conducted in four long-term care facilities. The exercise, nutrition, and stress management intervention lasted 9-months and was implemented during paid work time.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-eight long-term care workers consented to participate in the study.

METHODS

Survey data included: mood, dietary salt intake, dietary fat intake, sleep quality, and sleep duration.

RESULTS

A significant positive short-term intervention effect at 9-month (p = .037) and long-term effect at 12-month for mood (p = .039) was found, signifying reduction in mood symptoms in the treatment group over time. The intervention group also showed longer sleep time (p = .016) and better sleep quality (p = .046) at 12-months. The intervention group had less dietary sodium intake at 9-months (p = .036); yet, this was not maintained over time.

CONCLUSION

The WHHIP demonstrated the ability to improve participants' mood, sleep and sodium intake over time. Lessons learned particularly the challenges faced implementing the WHHIP and the solutions recommended provide critical insights to strengthen future programs with this population.