Immunological assessment of participatory intervention for workplace improvements among university hospital nurses

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26671048
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Community health nursing
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare (2017); University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (2014-2016)
• Principal Investigator: NAKATA Akinori 国際医療福祉大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (80333384)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ANAN Ayumi 産業医科大学, 産業保健学部, 教授 (00369076) ; OTSUKA Yasumasa 筑波大学, 人間系, 准教授 (90350371) ; KODAMA Hiromi 産業医科大学, 産業保健学部, 助教 (80584515)
• Research Collaborator: TONDOKORO Tsukumi ; YANAGIHARA Nobuyuki ; KAWASAKI Mikiko ; SATOH Noriaki
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 看護師 / 職場環境改善 / 介入研究 / 生理指標 / 免疫指標 / サイトカイン / 自律神経バランス / 参加型

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of participatory workplace improvement program on biological indices among the university hospital nurses. A total of 36 female nurses decided to improve work conditions such as 1) leave work on time (no overtime), 2) give thanks card to co-workers, and 3) take actions in advance for caring patients. The program lasted for 3 months and the evaluation was measured before (time 0), right after the program (time 1), and 3 months after finishing the program (time 2). We found a significant decrease of cytokines (TNF-α,IL-12/23p40, and IL-15) at time 2 compared to time 0 but no other indicators, such as perceived job stress or autonomic balance, was significantly improved. No significant differences were observed in job stress or autonomic indicators between time 0 and 1. Although the results need to be interpreted cautiously, the findings suggest a delayed response of intervention effect.

Free Research Field

産業衛生学