Effects of dynamic workstation Oxidesk on acceptance, physical activity, mental fitness and work performance.

BACKGROUND: Working in an office environment is characterised by physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour. This behaviour contributes to several health risks in the long run. Dynamic workstations which allow people to combine desk activities with physical activity, may contribute to prevention of these health risks. OBJECTIVE: A dynamic workstation, called Oxidesk, was evaluated to determine the possible contribution to healthy behaviour and the impact on perceived work performance. METHODS: A field test was conducted with 22 office workers, employed at a health insurance company in the Netherlands. RESULTS: The Oxidesk was well accepted, positively perceived for fitness and the participants maintained their work performance. Physical activity was lower than the activity level required in the Dutch guidelines for sufficient physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a slight increase in physical activity, the Oxidesk may be helpful in the reducing health risks involved and seems applicable for introduction to office environments.

The influence of activities and duration on comfort and discomfort development in time of aircraft passengers.

BACKGROUND: Discomfort increases when duration of sitting is longer. Aircraft passengers are subjected to prolonged sitting in restricted postures, which can cause discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between duration of sitting and development of discomfort, as well as the influence of different passenger activities. METHODS: Participants (n = 18) performed four different activities in three conditions during an aircraft seat test. Discomfort was measured every 15 min on an 11-point scale. A short online survey asked passengers (n = 114) when they felt most refreshed during their last flight. RESULTS: Discomfort was significantly lower during the 'food' activity for condition 2 (hot meal), compared to conditions 1 and 3 (drinks, snack). The largest decrease in discomfort was during the 15 min break between two conditions, in which participants could walk around. Respondents from the online survey indicated they felt most refreshed after food (34.8%), sleeping (27.0%) and walking through the plane (25.2%). Walking was mentioned more often as most refreshing activity by long-haul passengers (>6 h) compared to short-haul passengers (<2 h). CONCLUSIONS: Passengers can be distracted from feeling discomfort by providing food and drinks. Airlines and seat manufacturers can increase comfort by stimulating passengers to move in their seat.

The influence of active seating on car passengers' perceived comfort and activity levels.

New technologies have led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary behaviour is characterised by physical inactivity and is associated with several health risks. This excessive sitting does not only take place in the office or at home, but also during daily commute. Therefore, BMW AG developed an active seating system for the back seat of a car, consisting of sensors in the back rest that register upper body movements of the passenger, with which the passenger controls a game. This study evaluated three different aspects of active seating compared to other tasks (reading, working on laptop, and gaming on tablet). First, discomfort and comfort perception were measured in a 30-minute driving test. Discomfort was very low for all activities and participants felt significantly more challenged, more fit and more refreshed during active seating. Second, heart rate was measured, indicating a light intensity, but nevertheless non-sedentary, activity. Third, average and variability in activity of six postural muscles was measured by electromyography (EMG), showing a higher muscle activity and higher muscle variability for active seating compared to other activities. Active seating might stimulate movements, thereby increasing comfort and well-being.

Improving car passengers' comfort and experience by supporting the use of handheld devices.

BACKGROUND: There is a demand for interiors to support other activities in a car than controlling the vehicle. Currently, this is the case for the car passengers and--in the future--autonomous driving cars will also facilitate drivers to perform other activities. One of these activities is working with handheld devices. OBJECTIVE: Previous research shows that people experience problems when using handheld devices in a moving vehicle and the use of handheld devices generally causes unwanted neck flexion [Young et al. 2012; Sin and Zu 2011; Gold et al.2011]. In this study, armrests are designed to support the arms when using handheld devices in a driving car in order to decrease neck flexion. METHODS: Neck flexion was measured by attaching markers on the C7 and tragus. Discomfort was indicated on a body map on a scale 1-10. User experience was evaluated in a semi-structured interview. RESULTS: Neck flexion is significantly decreased by the support of the armrests and approaches a neutral position. Furthermore, overall comfort and comfort in the neck region specifically are significantly increased. Subjects appreciate the body posture facilitated by the armrests and 9 out of 10 prefer using handheld devices with the armrests compared to using handheld devices without the armrests. CONLUSION: More efforts are needed to develop the mock-up into an established product, but the angles and dimensions presented in this study could serve as guidelines.

Duration of untreated psychosis: impact on 2-year outcome.

BACKGROUND: The duration of untreated psychosis has been postulated to be a predictor of clinical outcome in schizophrenia. Although several prospective studies support the relationship, some studies do not. These differences may be due to a number of methodological issues. The objectives of this study are: (i) to address many of the methodological limitations of earlier studies such as variations in sample size and selection, type of treatment provided, differences in measurement of DUP and outcome, and length of follow-up; and (ii) to examine the relationship between DUP and outcome in a prospective longitudinal study. METHOD: The DUP of 200 consecutive admissions to a first-episode programme was determined. The sample was followed over 2 years and pre-morbid functioning, symptoms, social and cognitive functioning and substance use were assessed longitudinally. RESULTS: Two years after admission to the programme, longer DUP was significantly associated with high levels of positive symptoms and poor social functioning. Independently of other variables, DUP predicted positive symptoms and social functioning at 1 and 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that long DUP continues to have an influence on outcome up to 2 years. These results support ongoing efforts for early detection and intervention.

Pathways to care: help seeking behaviour in first episode psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of attempts it took before patients with a first episode of psychosis received adequate help, the signs or symptoms that led them to seek help and the people from whom they attempted to seek help. METHOD: Subjects were 86 individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, mainly schizophrenia, who were attending a comprehensive program for early psychosis treatment. RESULTS: Help-seeking attempts began in the prodromal phase of the illness and continued into the psychotic phase. Concerning behaviours ranged from more general symptoms to psychotic symptoms. A range of contacts were made early on but emergency services were most often the contact that helped individuals obtain appropriate treatment for psychosis. CONCLUSION: Improved public education and gatekeeper education might reduce the time required for individuals developing a psychosis to receive timely and adequate care.