{"title":"Impact of Telework on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Symptoms in Japanese Workers.","authors":"Yuya Watanabe, Takayuki Noda, Kaori Yoshiba, Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Masaki Machida, Kanako Nara, Atsuko Fukunishi, Yutaka Nakanishi, Shigeru Inoue, Yuko Kai","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the associations between telework frequency and physical function, body composition, and physical symptoms among Japanese office workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 93 workers from Tokyo. Telework frequency was categorized into four groups: no telework, ≤1 day/week, 2-3 days/week, and ≥ 4 days/week. The 30-second chair stand test, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the Japanese version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) were used for assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A higher telework frequency was significantly associated with lower chair-standing test performance (P for trend = 0.048). No significant trends were observed in skeletal muscle mass or body fat percentage. Severe physical symptoms (SSS-8 score ≥ 16) were more prevalent among high-frequency teleworkers (P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the need for interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of telework on workers' physical fitness.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hourly exposure to ambient air pollutants and risk of acute aortic dissection: Evidence from 162 Chinese cities.","authors":"Zhenyu Liu, Shuangyue Qian, Kai Ren, Ruxing Wan, Ling Tang, Xiangyu Chang","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003574","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003574","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the association between hourly spikes in air pollutant exposure and the risk of acute aortic dissection (AAD) onset.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This time-stratified case-crossover study analyzed a national Chinese registry of 3,125 AAD cases across 162 cities. Piecewise conditional logistic regression and distributed lag nonlinear models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Increases in PM10 (RR = 1.019 per 10 μg/m3) and CO (RR = 1.184 per 1 mg/m3) were associated with higher AAD risk. Exposure above thresholds yielded increased risks for PM2.5 > 200 μg/m3 (RR = 1.074 per 10 μg/m3) and NO2 > 100 μg/m3 (RR = 1.065 per μg/m3). Effects showed lagged patterns for CO and PM10. Males, older adults, hypertensive patients, smokers, and overweight individuals showed greater susceptibility.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first evidence that hourly air pollution spikes significantly increase AAD risk, supporting targeted public health measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sungwon Park, Brad Wipfli, Li Zhao, Philip Veliz, Weiyun Chen, Marie-Anne Rosemberg, Janet L Larson
{"title":"Post-pandemic Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Among IT Workers.","authors":"Sungwon Park, Brad Wipfli, Li Zhao, Philip Veliz, Weiyun Chen, Marie-Anne Rosemberg, Janet L Larson","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We assessed post-pandemic work arrangements among Information Technology (IT) workers at high risk for sedentary behavior (SB) and insufficient physical activity (PA), and examined factors influencing both SB and PA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study collected data from 80 IT workers between November 2023 and April 2024. Accelerometry and survey data for both SB and PA were analyzed using descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression; qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants averaged 10.76 hours of SB, including 3.72 hours in prolonged SB, 221 minutes of light PA, and 21 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day. Hybrid workers were more sedentary than other groups. Individual perceptions and workplace social support were influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hybrid IT workers need targeted interventions employing multilevel strategies, including behavioral education and supportive work environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145246042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Working in Shifts Matter? A Comparative Study of Occupational Balance and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile in Healthcare Workers.","authors":"Özge Buket Arslan, Elanur Fırat, Hatice Abaoğlu","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003573","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of shift work on occupational balance and health-promoting lifestyle profile among healthcare workers.Methods: The study included 248 healthcare professionals working in public hospitals. Participants were divided equally into shift and non-shift work groups. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ), and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II).Results: Non-shift workers reported higher OBQ scores and higher scores in the spiritual growth, stress management dimensions, and total score of the HPLP II scale compared to shift workers. Work schedule was a significant predictor of occupational balance. Demographic differences such as age, gender, marital status, work experience, and income-expenditure balance varied between groups.Conclusions: Shift work negatively affects occupational balance and certain dimensions of health-promoting lifestyle profile in healthcare workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145246040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María de Los Ángeles Cardero-Durán, Luis Espejo-Antúnez, Carlos Fernández-Morales, Manuel Albornoz-Cabello, Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla
{"title":"Workplace-based physiotherapy of elderly-care workers with non-specific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"María de Los Ángeles Cardero-Durán, Luis Espejo-Antúnez, Carlos Fernández-Morales, Manuel Albornoz-Cabello, Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003566","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyze the clinical efficacy of a multimodal physical therapy program combined with pain neuroscience education (PNE) in elderly care workers with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A sample of 50 elderly care workers was randomly assigned to an Intervention Group (IG; n = 25), which received a multimodal physiotherapy program combined with PNE, and a Control Group (IG; n = 25). Self-reported pain intensity (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical disability (CDU), active cervical range of motion (CRoM), and health-related quality of life (HRQL), were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant results were observed for IG in the variables analyzed p < 0.001. Improvements were maintained with large effect sizes (d ≥ 0.9) after a 4-week follow up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Five weeks of workplace-based physiotherapy combined with PNE reduced self-reported pain intensity and increase PPT and CRoM in caregivers with NSCNP.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Working at home, caring at home during the pandemic: Profiles of working parents and links to parents' wellbeing from an Australian prospective study.","authors":"Clair Bennett, Rebecca Giallo, Stacey Hokke, Jasmine Love, Liana Leach, Kate McCredie, Jodi Oakman, Amanda Cooklin","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003567","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines how work-family-care disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic clustered and co-occurred for working parents and explores the impact on employee wellbeing.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We investigated profiles of parents' work-family-care disruption using latent class analysis; explored parent, work, family and household patterning of classes; and examined associations with (concurrent and) subsequent employee wellbeing (occupational fatigue, time pressure, psychological distress).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Parents were classed as 'low' (35.6%), 'moderate' (58.1%), and 'high' (6.3%) impact. Distinct parent, work, family and household characteristics were associated with these classes. Parents moderately or highly impacted reported lower employee wellbeing concurrently and at 6-month follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings highlight the impact of work-family-care disruption on employee wellbeing. Additional supports to working parents are needed in times of crisis, particularly for vulnerable parents and for working parents who experience increases in unpaid labour.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is it time to consider military exposures in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk estimation?","authors":"Sarah T Ahmed, Vijay Nambi, Drew A Helmer","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003565","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Remembering History, Now More Than Ever.","authors":"Paul D Blanc","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003475","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003475","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e765"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144499973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is Elevated Urinary β-2 Microglobulin (β2-M) Unique to Cadmium Toxicity?","authors":"Andrew J Sullivan, Joseph W Testa, John W Downs","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003456","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003456","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e760-e761"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144251636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"JOEM Editorial: The Future of Health, Productivity, and Occupational/Environmental Medicine.","authors":"Paul W Brandt-Rauf","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003511","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003511","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e759"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144664136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}