Ergonomics in a World of New Values

Our perceptions of the world have changed dramatically since the International Ergonomics Association was founded in 1959. In the last 17 years, we have come to realize that our energy and mineral resources are exhaustible, that environmental pollution may annihilate us, and that we have to be protected against the technology that we have created for our own benefit. Those 17 years have also seen a marked decrease in satisfaction with the quality of life, and an increase in expectations that life can and should be made safer, richer, and generally better. In many countries, these rising expectations have led to the enactment of laws governing conditions of work, opportunities for employment, and consumer product safety. Most important of all, society is finally beginning to understand that the world constitutes one enormous system, and that changes proposed anywhere have to be evaluated in terms of their long-term effects on that system. This old world with its new values offers important opportunities and challenges for ergonomics–many of which are elaborated here.

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Long-term Impact of Adenotonsillectomy on the Quality of Life of Children with Sleep-disordered breathing

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1709195 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juliana Alves Sousa Caixeta ◽

Jessica Caixeta Silva Sampaio ◽

Vanessa Vaz Costa ◽

Isadora Milhomem Bruno da Silveira ◽

Carolina Ribeiro Fernandes de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Disordered Breathing ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

Disordered Breathing

Abstract Introduction Adenotonsillectomy is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children. The physical benefits of this surgery are well known as well as its impact on the quality of life (QoL), mainly according to short-term evaluations. However, the long-term effects of this surgery are still unclear. Objective To evaluate the long-term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the QoL of children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Method This was a prospective non-controlled study. Children between 3 and 13 years of age with symptoms of SDB for whom adenotonsillectomy had been indicated were included. Children with comorbities were excluded. Quality of life was evaluated using the obstructive sleep apnea questionnaire (OSA-18), which was completed prior to, 10 days, 6 months, 12 months and, at least, 18 months after the procedure. For statistical analysis, p-values lower than 0.05 were defined as statistically significant. Results A total of 31 patients were enrolled in the study. The average age was 5.2 years, and 16 patients were male. The OSA-18 scores improved after the procedure in all domains, and this result was maintained until the last evaluation, done 22 ± 3 months after the procedure. Improvement in each domain was not superior to achieved in other domains. No correlation was found between tonsil or adenoid size and OSA-18 scores. Conclusion This is the largest prospective study that evaluated the long-term effects of the surgery on the QoL of children with SDB using the OSA-18. Our results show adenotonsillectomy has a positive impact in children's QoL.

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Yoga therapy to reduce fatigue in cancer: effects of reminder e-mails and long-term efficacy

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06345-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Teresa Zetzl ◽

Andre Pittig ◽

Agnes Renner ◽

Birgitt van Oorschot ◽

Elisabeth Jentschke

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Mediation Model ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Cognitive Fatigue ◽

Yoga Therapy ◽

Life Data

Abstract Objective To examine the efficacy of reminder e-mails to continue yoga therapy on practice frequency and fatigue in cancer patients and long-term effects of yoga on fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Methodology One hundred two cancer patients who completed an 8-week yoga therapy were randomly allocated to two groups: reminder (N = 51) vs. no-reminder group (N = 51). After completing yoga therapy, the reminder group received weekly e-mails for 24 weeks, which reminded them of practicing yoga, whereas the no-reminder group did not. Primary outcomes were fatigue and practice frequency, and long-term outcomes were fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Data were assessed using questionnaires after yoga therapy (T1) and 6 months after completing yoga therapy (T2). Result A significantly stronger reduction of general (p = 0.038, d = 0.42) and emotional fatigue (p = 0.004, d = 0.59) and a higher increase of practice frequency (p = 0.015, d = 0.52) between T1 and T2 were found for the reminder group compared to the no-reminder group. In the mediation model, practice frequency as a mediator partially explained the changes in emotional fatigue (indirect effect B = − 0.10). Long-term effects of yoga therapy regarding fatigue, depression, and quality of life were found (F > 7.46, p < 0.001, d > 0.54). Conclusion Weekly reminder e-mails after yoga therapy can positively affect general and emotional fatigue and help cancer patients with fatigue establish a regular yoga practice at home. However, higher practice frequency did not lead to higher physical or cognitive fatigue improvement, suggesting other factors that mediate efficacy on physical or cognitive fatigue, such as mindfulness or side effects of therapy.

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Long-Term Effects of Doxazosin, Finasteride and Combination Therapy on Quality of Life in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/j.juro.2013.01.061 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 190 (1) ◽

pp. 187-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Chyng-Wen Fwu ◽

Paul W. Eggers ◽

Steven A. Kaplan ◽

Ziya Kirkali ◽

Jeannette Y. Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽

Combination Therapy ◽

Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽

Long Term Effects

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Long-term effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on health-related quality of life in advanced Parkinson's disease

Movement Disorders ◽

10.1002/mds.20786 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 746-753 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Andrew Siderowf ◽

Jurg L. Jaggi ◽

Sharon X. Xie ◽

Catherine Loveland-Jones ◽

Lewis Leng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Subthalamic Nucleus ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Advanced Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

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Physical occupational exposures during working life and quality of life after labour market exit: results from the GAZEL study

10.31219/osf.io/tng6t ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Loretta G. Platts ◽

Gopalakrishnan Netuveli ◽

Elizabeth Webb ◽

Marie Zins ◽

Marcel Goldberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Working Life ◽

Life Course Perspective ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Physical Danger

Objective: To investigate variations in quality of life at older ages, we take a life course perspective to analyse long-term effects of physical working conditions upon quality of life after retirement. In doing so, we study to what extent these associations are explained by individuals’ health at older ages. Method: We use administrative data and self-administered questionnaire responses from the French GAZEL cohort. Quality of life was assessed with CASP-19 in 2009 and related to three types of physical working conditions during previous working life: (1) ergonomic strain, (2) physical danger and (3) exposures to chemicals. Health was assessed in 2007 with the SF-36 Health Survey. Multiple regressions were calculated in retired men only, controlling for important confounders including social position. Results: In contrast to men, few women were exposed to strenuous and dangerous working conditions in this cohort and were not included in subsequent analyses. Negative effects on retired men's quality of life were found for the physical occupational exposures of ergonomic strain and physical danger, but not for chemical exposures. Effects were attenuated after the introduction of physical and mental health to the models, indicating an indirect effect of physical working conditions upon quality of life via health. Conclusion: Adverse physical working conditions have long-term consequences for health and quality of life at older ages. Improvements to physical working conditions may improve individuals’ quality of life over the long term.

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