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Nursery school workers are known for having a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). The natural history of LBP and the determinants of persistent LBP remain unclear. We examined the prevalence of persistent LBP and whether pain intensity and disability in daily life due to LBP affected the persistence of LBP among these workers. A five-year panel study was conducted for 446 nursery school workers in Japan. LBP, pain intensity, and disability in daily life due to LBP were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire survey. Pain intensity was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS). The Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) was used to assess disability in daily life due to LBP. At baseline, 270 nursery school workers (60.5%) suffered from LBP. The estimated prevalence of persistent LBP was 84.6% (80.3–88.9%), 82.2% (77.7–86.8%), and 82.0% (77.4–86.5%) at 1, 3, and 5 years after the initial study, respectively. NRS scores of 5 or greater predicted the persistence of LBP at 1 and 3 years after the initial survey (adjusted odds ratios: 4.01 (1.27–12.6) and 8.51 (1.87–38.7), respectively), while RDQ scores did not. In conclusion, LBP highly persisted for a long time and pain intensity predicted persistent LBP among nursery school workers in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study done in order to determine the reliability and validity of the Japanese translated version of the Swedish demand-control- support questionnaire (J-DCSQ).The study encompassed 212 women working in nursery schools. It mentions that the J-DCSQ used in the study covers psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support in the workplace. It concludes that findings of the findings exhibited sufficient reliability of the J-DCSQ.

Abstract: Objective: To examine the prospective effects of psychosocial job characteristics evaluated with the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and Effort–Reward Imbalance (ERI) models on insomnia. Methods: A prospective cohort study with a two-year observation was performed. The subjects were 1022 middle-aged (⩾39 years) Japanese workers. The following associations were analyzed: high job strain, low social support, effort–reward imbalance, and overcommitment to work at the baseline with self-reported persistence and future onset of insomnia. Results: Among those who were insomniacs at the baseline (N =292), low social support [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 2.00 (1.18, 3.40)] and effort–reward imbalance [2.40 (1.13, 5.10)] at the baseline had a significant relationship to insomnia at the follow-up. Among those who were not insomniacs at the baseline (N =730), overcommitment to work [1.75 (1.16, 2.66)] and high job strain [1.72 (1.06, 2.79)] at the baseline were associated with insomnia at follow-up. Conclusions: Prospective effects of psychosocial job characteristics on insomnia differed between its persistence and future onset. Proportionate reward for work effort and sufficient support at work assist recovery from insomnia, while overcommitment to work and high job strain cause future onset of insomnia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and purpose: The details of risky psychosocial job characteristics related to insomnia are unclear, although potential relationships between the two have been suggested. The study objective was to clarify these relationships by using the demand-control-support (DCS) model and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with 1081 middle-aged (39 years and older) workers in a corporate group of electric products in Osaka, Japan. The study variables included insomnia symptoms (non-refreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, frequent sleep disruption, and early morning arousal) and psychosocial job characteristics which were evaluated using the DCS and ERI models, gender, age, disease, sleep-related factors, occupational status, and health practices. Results: ERI [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.27 (1.43, 3.60)], overcommitment [1.86 (1.40, 2.47)], and high job strain [1.55 (1.12, 2.15)] were independently associated with insomnia. The odds ratio of insomnia for individuals with high job strain was increased by adding ERI or overcommitment. Conclusions: The ERI and DCS models describe the adverse psychosocial job characteristics related to insomnia. Simultaneously employing these two models is more useful than employing a single model to identify workers at risk of insomnia. The conceptual framework derived from the job stress models assists in defining preventive measures for insomnia in workers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is used for assessing food addiction (FA). Our study aimed at validating its Japanese version (J-YFAS 2.0). The subjects included 731 undergraduate students. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the root-mean-square error of approximation, comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, and standardized root-mean-square residual were 0.065, 0.904, 0.880, and 0.048, respectively, for a one-factor structure model. Kuder–Richardson α was 0.78. Prevalence of the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed mild, moderate, and severe FA was 1.1%, 1.2%, and 1.0%, respectively. High uncontrolled eating and emotional eating scores of the 18-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ R-18) (p < 0.001), a high Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score (p < 0.001), frequent desire to overeat (p = 0.007), and frequent snacking (p = 0.003) were associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA presence. The scores demonstrated significant correlations with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA symptom count (p < 0.01). The highest attained body mass index was associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA symptom count (p = 0.026). The TFEQ R-18 cognitive restraint score was associated with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA presence (p < 0.05) and symptom count (p < 0.001), but not with the J-YFAS 2.0-diagnosed FA severity. Like the YFAS 2.0 in other languages, the J-YFAS 2.0 has a one-factor structure and adequate convergent validity and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]