skip to main content

Explore Research Products in the NSF-PAR

  • NSF Public Access
  • Search Results
  • Interventions to Mitigate Fatigue Induced by Physical Work: A Systematic Review of Research Quality and Levels of Evidence for Intervention Efficacy
Title: Interventions to Mitigate Fatigue Induced by Physical Work: A Systematic Review of Research Quality and Levels of Evidence for Intervention Efficacy
Objective: We present a literature review on workplace physical fatigue interventions, focusing on evaluating the methodological quality and strength of evidence. Background: Physical fatigue is a recognized workplace problem, with negative effects on performance and health-related complaints. Although many studies have focused on the mechanisms and consequences of fatigue, few have considered the effectiveness of interventions to mitigate fatigue. Method: A systematic review of the workplace safety literature for controlled trials of physical fatigue interventions was conducted. Data on intervention type, subject characteristics, targeted tasks and body locations, outcome measures, and study design were extracted. The methodological quality for each study was evaluated using the PEDro scale, and the level of evidence was based on quality, amount, and consistency. Results: Forty-five controlled trials were reviewed, examining 18 interventions. We categorized those interventions into individual-focused ( N = 28 studies, nine interventions), workplace-focused ( N = 12 studies, five interventions), and multiple interventions ( N = 5 studies, four interventions). We identified moderate evidence for interventions related to assistive devices and task variation. There was moderate evidence supporting no fatigue attenuation for the garment change category of interventions. The interventions in the remaining categories had limited to minimal evidence of efficacy. The heterogeneity of the included trials precludes the determination of effect size. Conclusion: This review showed a lack of high levels of evidence for the effectiveness of most physical fatigue interventions. Application: Due to a lack of high levels of evidence for any category of reviewed physical fatigue interventions, further high-quality studies are needed to establish the efficacy of others.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1635927
NSF-PAR ID:
10128972
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
ISSN:
0018-7208
Page Range / eLocation ID:
001872081987614
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ( , F1000Research)
    null (Ed.)
    Background: To explore existing literature on the association between environmental risk factors and delirium, and to investigate the effectiveness of environmental modifications on prevention or management of delirium. Methods: This is a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies in PubMed and the reference lists of reviewed articles. Observational studies reporting the effect of noise, light, and circadian rhythm on delirium and interventional studies assessing delirium in modified environments were reviewed. Results: 37 studies were included, 21 of which evaluated the impact of environment on delirium and 16 studied possible solutions to mitigate those impacts. Mixed findings of the reviewed studies yielded inconclusive results; a clearly delineated association between high noise levels, abnormal amounts of light exposure, and sleep disruption with delirium could not be established. The environmental interventions targeted reducing noise exposure, improving daytime and mitigating night-time light exposure to follow circadian rhythm, and promoting sleep. The overall evidence supporting effectiveness of environmental interventions was also of a low confidence; however, quiet-time protocols, earplugs, and bright light therapy showed a benefit for prevention or management of delirium. Conclusions: Environmental modifications are non-invasive, risk-free, and low-cost strategies that may be beneficial in preventing and managing delirium, especially when used as part of a multi-component plan. However, given the limited evidence-based conclusions, further high-quality and larger studies focusing on environmental modifications and delirium outcomes are strongly recommended. 
    more » « less
  2. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ( , International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity)
    null (Ed.)
    Abstract Background This scoping review summarized research on (a) seasonal differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior, and (b) specific weather indices associated with those behaviors. Methods PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched to identify relevant studies. After identifying and screening 1459 articles, data were extracted from 110 articles with 118,189 participants from 30 countries (almost exclusively high-income countries) on five continents. Results Both physical activity volume and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were greater in summer than winter. Sedentary behavior was greater in winter than either spring or summer, and insufficient evidence existed to draw conclusions about seasonal differences in light physical activity. Physical activity volume and MVPA duration were positively associated with both the photoperiod and temperature, and negatively associated with precipitation. Sedentary behavior was negatively associated with photoperiod and positively associated with precipitation. Insufficient evidence existed to draw conclusions about light physical activity and specific weather indices. Many weather indices have been neglected in this literature (e.g., air quality, barometric pressure, cloud coverage, humidity, snow, visibility, windchill). Conclusions The natural environment can influence health by facilitating or inhibiting physical activity. Behavioral interventions should be sensitive to potential weather impacts. Extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change may compromise health-enhancing physical activity in the short term and, over longer periods of time, stimulate human migration in search of more suitable environmental niches. 
    more » « less
  3. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ( , F1000Research)
    null (Ed.)
    Background: Post-operative delirium is a common complication among adult patients in the intensive care unit. Current literature does not support the use of pharmacologic measures to manage this condition, and several studies explore the potential for the use of non-pharmacologic methods such as early mobility plans or environmental modifications. The aim of this systematic review is to examine and report on recently available literature evaluating the relationship between non-pharmacologic management strategies and the reduction of delirium in the intensive care unit. Methods: Six major research databases were systematically searched for articles analyzing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic delirium interventions in the past five years. Search results were restricted to adult human patients aged 18 years or older in the intensive care unit setting, excluding terminally ill subjects and withdrawal-related delirium. Following title, abstract, and full text review, 27 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and are included in this report. Results: The 27 reviewed articles consist of 12 interventions with a single-component investigational approach, and 15 with multi-component bundled protocols. Delirium incidence was the most commonly assessed outcome followed by duration. Family visitation was the most effective individual intervention while mobility interventions were the least effective. Two of the three family studies significantly reduced delirium incidence, while one in five mobility studies did the same. Multi-component bundle approaches were the most effective of all; of the reviewed studies, eight of 11 bundles significantly improved delirium incidence and seven of eight bundles decreased the duration of delirium. Conclusions: Multi-component, bundled interventions were more effective at managing intensive care unit delirium than those utilizing an approach with a single interventional element. Although better management of this condition suggests a decrease in resource burden and improvement in patient outcomes, comparative research should be performed to identify the importance of specific bundle elements. 
    more » « less
  4. ; ; ; ; ; ; ( , JMIR mHealth and uHealth)
    Background Multiple strategies can be used when self-monitoring diet, physical activity, and perceived stress, but no gold standards are available. Although self-monitoring is a core element of self-management and behavior change, the success of mHealth behavioral tools depends on their validity and reliability, which lack evidence. African American and Latina mothers in the United States are high-priority populations for apps that can be used for self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, and stress because the body mass index (BMI) of mothers typically increases for several years after childbirth and the risks of obesity and its’ sequelae diseases are elevated among minority populations. Objective To examine the intermethod reliability and concurrent validity of smartphone-based self-monitoring via ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and use of daily diaries for diet, stress, and physical activity compared with brief recall measures, anthropometric biomeasures, and bloodspot biomarkers. Methods A purposive sample (n=42) of primarily African American (16/42, 39%) and Latina (18/42, 44%) mothers was assigned Android smartphones for using Ohmage apps to self-monitor diet, perceived stress, and physical activity over 6 months. Participants were assessed at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Recall measures included brief food frequency screeners, physical activity assessments adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the nine-item psychological stress measure. Anthropometric biomeasures included BMI, body fat, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Bloodspot assays for Epstein–Barr virus and C-reactive protein were used as systemic load and stress biomarkers. EMAs and daily diary questions assessed perceived quality and quantity of meals, perceived stress levels, and moderate, vigorous, and light physical activity. Units of analysis were follow-up assessments (n=29 to n=45 depending on the domain) of the participants (n=29 with sufficient data for analyses). Correlations, R2 statistics, and multivariate linear regressions were used to assess the strength of associations between variables. Results Almost all participants (39/42, 93%) completed the study. Intermethod reliability between smartphone-based EMAs and diary reports and their corresponding recall reports was highest for stress and diet; correlations ranged from .27 to .52 (P<.05). However, it was unexpectedly low for physical activity; no significant associations were observed. Concurrent validity was demonstrated for diet EMAs and diary reports on systolic blood pressure (r=−.32), C-reactive protein level (r=−.34), and moderate and vigorous physical activity recalls (r=.35 to.48), suggesting a covariation between healthy diet and physical activity behaviors. EMAs and diary reports on stress were not associated with Epstein–Barr virus and C-reactive protein level. Diary reports on moderate and vigorous physical activity were negatively associated with BMI and body fat (r=−.35 to −.44, P<.05). Conclusions Brief smartphone-based EMA use may be valid and reliable for long-term self-monitoring of diet, stress, and physical activity. Lack of intermethod reliability for physical activity measures is consistent with prior research, warranting more research on the efficacy of smartphone-based self-monitoring of self-management and behavior change support. 
    more » « less
  5. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ( , JMIR Research Protocols)
    null (Ed.)
    Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities are a particularly devastating manifestation of health inequity. Despite advancements in prevention and treatment, CVD is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, research indicates that African American (AA) and other ethnic-minority populations are affected by CVD at earlier ages than white Americans. Given that AAs are the fastest-growing population of smartphone owners and users, mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer the unparalleled potential to prevent or improve self-management of chronic disease among this population. Objective To address the unmet need for culturally tailored primordial prevention CVD–focused mHealth interventions, the MOYO app was cocreated with the involvement of young people from this priority community. The overall project aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel smartphone app designed to reduce CVD risk factors among urban-AAs, 18-29 years of age. Methods The theoretical underpinning will combine the principles of community-based participatory research and the agile software development framework. The primary outcome goals of the study will be to determine the usability, acceptability, and functionality of the MOYO app, and to build a cloud-based data collection infrastructure suitable for digital epidemiology in a disparity population. Changes in health-related parameters over a 24-week period as determined by both passive (eg, physical activity levels, sleep duration, social networking) and active (eg, use of mood measures, surveys, uploading pictures of meals and blood pressure readings) measures will be the secondary outcome. Participants will be recruited from a majority AA “large city” school district, 2 historically black colleges or universities, and 1 urban undergraduate college. Following baseline screening for inclusion (administered in person), participants will receive the beta version of the MOYO app. Participants will be monitored during a 24-week pilot period. Analyses of varying data including social network dynamics, standard metrics of activity, percentage of time away from a given radius of home, circadian rhythm metrics, and proxies for sleep will be performed. Together with external variables (eg, weather, pollution, and socioeconomic indicators such as food access), these metrics will be used to train machine-learning frameworks to regress them on the self-reported quality of life indicators. Results This 5-year study (2015-2020) is currently in the implementation phase. We believe that MOYO can build upon findings of classical epidemiology and longitudinal studies like the Jackson Heart Study by adding greater granularity to our knowledge of the exposures and behaviors that affect health and disease, and creating a channel for outreach capable of launching interventions, clinical trials, and enhancements of health literacy. Conclusions The results of this pilot will provide valuable information about community cocreation of mHealth programs, efficacious design features, and essential infrastructure for digital epidemiology among young AA adults. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/16699 
    more » « less
  • Citation Formats
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
  • BibTeX
  • Save / Share this Record
  • Send to Email