Objectives: In order to clarify the involvement in the nervous system by cervico-brachial disorders (CBD), we performed neurophysiological tests on the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the central nervous system (CNS) in patients with CBD, subclinicals and healthy controls. Subjects and Methods: We employed antidromic sensory nerve conduction velocities (SCV) in the hands and fingers for PNS function and event-related potentials (P300) for CNS higher function. Subjects for SCV were 27 patients, 14 workers with sign and symptoms of CBD (subclinicals) and 22 controls. Subjects for P300 were 23 patients, 12 subclinicals and 10 healthy controls. Conclusions: In the PNS, since significant reduction SCV in the index finger among patients was observed, we could not find clear evidence of decrease of conduction function. In the CNS, since the latencies and amplitudes of auditory P300 among patients were significantly delayed and decreased, respectively, and the latencies significantly correlated with symptom score, it was suggested that the dysfunction of the cognition and memory function. However, further investigation is necessary to clarify the mechanism.

Antidromic

Peripheral Nervous System

Neurophysiology

10.2486/indhealth.43.630

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Citations (3)

Arm Pain and Daytime Sleepiness among Nursing Home Employees

Industrial Health (2006)

Masaya Takahashi Kazuyuki Iwakiri Midori Sotoyama Mamoru Hirata Naomi Hisanaga

We investigated the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and sleep problems among 98 employees (79 women) at three nursing homes. Self-reported data were collected regarding pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and low back, sleep disturbances, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and the level of workload on the hands, legs, and low back by type of care. Pain in the arms was significantly associated with less difficulty initiating sleep, fewer symptoms of insomnia, and a higher level of daytime sleepiness. After adjusting for age and gender, only the association between arm pain and daytime sleepiness remained significant (Odds Ratio 6.70, 95% Confidence Interval 1.40-31.97). Participants with both arm pain and daytime sleepiness showed significantly greater levels of workload in some kinds of care in a systemic manner than counterparts without either complaint. These findings suggest that arm pain is associated with elevated sleep propensity/fatigue in nursing home work.

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

10.2486/indhealth.44.669

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Citations (14)

Development and Process Evaluation of the Participatory and Action-Oriented Empowerment Model Facilitated by Occupational Health Nurses for Workplace Health Promotion in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Industrial Health (2007)

Noriko Nishikido Kazumi Matsuda Eiko FUKUDA Chiharu MOTOKI Miho TSUTAKI

The objective of this study is to develop an available empowerment model for workplace health promotion (WHP) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to evaluate its applicability and feasibility. Semi-structured interviews with employers and workers in SMEs were conducted to assess their actual requirements for support. The structure of our new empowerment model was discussed and established through several rounds of focus group meetings with occupational safety and health researchers and practitioners on the basis of results of our interviews. We developed a new participatory and action-oriented empowerment model based on needs for support of employers and workers in SMEs. This new model consists of three originally developed tools: an action checklist, an information guidebook, and a book of good practices. As the facilitators, occupational health nurses (OHNs) from health insurance associations were trained to empower employers and workers using these tools. Approximately 80 SMEs (with less than 300 employees) were invited to participate in the model project. With these tools and continued empowerment by OHNs, employers and workers were able to smoothly work on WHP. This newly developed participatory and action-oriented empowerment model that was facilitated by trained OHNs appears to be both applicable and feasible for WHP in SMEs in Japan.

Participatory ergonomics

Promotion (chess)

Workplace health promotion

Action Research

10.2486/indhealth.45.62

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Citations (11)

Study on measurement of δ-aminolevulinic acid in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

Journal of Chromatography B Biomedical Sciences and Applications (1994)

Keiko Miyajima Mamoru Hirata Toshiaki Yoshida Hiroshi Kosaka Akira Okayama

Linear range

10.1016/0378-4347(94)00046-8

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Citations (6)

Digital sensory nerve conduction velocity and vibration perception threshold in peripheral neurological test for hand‐arm vibration syndrome

American Journal of Industrial Medicine (1996)

Hisataka Sakakibara Mamoru Hirata Toshinori Hashiguchi Norikuni Toibana Hiroshi Koshiyama

To evaluate peripheral neuropathy in patients with vibration syndrome, an examination was conducted of sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) in the digital segment of the median nerve in the middle finger and vibration perception threshold (VPT) at 125 Hz on the same middle fingertip. In addition, possible correlations were investigated between the two measurements. SCVs in the digital segment were measured by stimulating at the wrist electrically and recording from two pairs of electrodes in the finger. Fractionated SCVs were also measured in the palm-to-finger, wrist-to-palm, and elbow-to-wrist segments. The subjects were 52 patients with vibration syndrome and 40 healthy controls of similar age. SCVs in the digital segment and the wrist-to-palm segment were significantly slower in the patients than in the controls, and VPTs were higher in the patients. The strongest correlation of VPTs with SCVs among nerve segments measured was shown in the digital segment. With an increase in VPTs, SCVs in the digital segment tended to be slower, and slowed digital SCVs were encountered more frequently: 13% in VPTs below 5.0 dB and 56% in VPTs above 17.5 dB. Slowed digital SCVs were found in 43% of the patients and increased VPTs were encountered in 92%.

Digital nerve

10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199608)30:2<219::aid-ajim14>3.0.co;2-#

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Citations (20)