Satoru Kanamori

Objectives: Some workers procrastinate oral care because of cognitive biases and nudges have been proposed as useful interventions to address this problem. This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated workers' oral care behaviours 6 months after an Easy–Attractive–Social–Timely ( EAST ) nudge‐based leaflet was distributed. Methods: Participants were recruited and surveyed online, whereas the intervention leaflet was delivered by postal mail. Participants in the control group received a text‐based leaflet providing detailed information on oral care. Participants in the nudge group received a nudge‐based leaflet. The persuasive text was shortened by more than 70% compared with the control leaflet (easy nudge), incorporated a narrative comic to elicit peer‐related behaviours (attractive and social nudges), and featured a cover designed to prompt immediate reading (timely nudge). The outcomes were changes in oral self‐care, self‐monitoring, professional preventive care, stages of behavioural change, and health literacy, measured using established assessment scales. Results: In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, 119 participants in the nudge group and 120 in the control group were analysed. No significant between‐group differences were observed for any outcome, including improvement in oral self‐care frequency (18.5% vs. 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.147). Conclusions: This is one of the few randomized controlled trials reporting non‐significant findings on oral health nudges, suggesting that an EAST ‐based leaflet may have limitations in sustaining long‐term behaviour change in this setting. Options for future interventions may include using the EAST ‐based leaflet in different contexts, such as a supplementary resource during face‐to‐face health education sessions.

Objective: To investigate the association between occupational health nurse (OHN) involvement and Bright 500 certification, an indicator of high-performing health and productivity management (HPM), among Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using multi-year survey data. Methods: This observational study used secondary data from the 2021–2024 HPM Survey. Each annual response was analyzed as a corporation-year observation, and within-corporation correlation was handled with a random intercept for corporations. OHN involvement was defined as the appointment of public health nurses and/or nurses as health promotion officers. Bright 500 certification, obtained from publicly available certification records, was used as an indicator of more advanced HPM. The association was examined using a mixed-effects logistic regression model. Results: The analytical sample comprised 12 847 (2021), 14 401 (2022), 17 316 (2023), and 20 267 (2024) SMEs. OHN involvement increased from 5.1% (2021) to 5.8% (2024). Bright 500 certification was consistently higher in corporations with OHN involvement (10.8% in 2021, 8.4% in 2024) than in those without (2–3% across years). After adjustment for survey year, region, insurer category, industry type, employee size, internal and external dissemination of HPM initiatives, and occupational physician involvement, OHN involvement was independently associated with certification (odds ratio: 2.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–4.54, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Across the four survey waves, OHN involvement was positively associated with Bright 500 certification among SMEs. These findings suggest that OHNs may be relevant to advanced HPM implementation in this setting. Future studies should capture OHN staffing arrangements, intensity and roles, and initiative timing to clarify mechanisms and potential causality.

Objectives: Home workspace ergonomics may influence telework-related somatic symptoms; however, evidence regarding interventions promoting teleworkers’ self-directed environment setup remains limited. We examined the effects of a behavioral science-based educational intervention on telework environment setup behaviors and somatic symptoms among Japanese employees. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the TELEWORK cluster randomized controlled trial (UMIN000053861). Workplace departments were randomized as clusters (1:1) to intervention/control. The 12-week program comprised educational emails, short videos, individualized feedback sheets, and supportive supervisor messages. The primary and secondary outcomes were the Telework Environment Setup Behavior (12 items) and Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8) scores, respectively. Analyses used a modified intention-to-treat approach with mixed-effects models. Results: Twelve clusters from 6 companies participated (182 and 188 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed in environment setup (difference, 1.34; 95% CI, –1.67 to 4.35; P = .345) or SSS-8 (difference, –1.10; 95% CI, –2.59 to 0.38; P = .129) scores at follow-up. In the process evaluation, over half of intervention participants who completed the follow-up reported satisfaction, nearly 90% read the emails, and approximately 40% viewed the videos. Among video viewers, approximately two-thirds reported adopting recommended behaviors, while >80% rated the content useful. Conclusions: This secondary analysis did not detect statistically significant improvements in telework environment setup behaviors or somatic symptoms. Statistical conclusions regarding intervention effects remain inconclusive, underscoring the need for organizationally supported, multifaceted strategies to strengthen telework environments.

Objectives: The competencies required of occupational health nurses (OHNs) to effectively address increasingly complex occupational health needs require systematic clarification. This scoping review aimed to comprehensively examine occupational health nursing competencies by mapping their scope, definitions, and practical applications. Methods: This study adopted a scoping review methodology to systematically summarize key concepts and knowledge. Literature searches were conducted using the Ichushi Web and PubMed databases, covering studies published between 2015 and 2025. Keywords included “occupational health nursing” and “competencies.” Peer-reviewed studies published in English or Japanese were included. Two researchers independently conducted primary and secondary screenings, resulting in the selection of 31 studies based on predefined eligibility criteria. Results: Thirty-one studies were included in the review. Occupational health nursing competencies were described as both basic competencies, essential for all OHNs, and advanced competencies, which are demonstrated by proficient nurses and associated with high performance. The competencies were categorized into 4 domains: “foundations of occupational health nursing,” including professionalism and communication; “coordination,” including relationship building; “management,” including Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)-based management; and “occupational health activities,” including health promotion and consultation. Conclusions: Occupational health nursing competencies span basic to advanced levels and integrate knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes required for effective occupational health practice. These competencies highlight the importance of foundational expertise, collaborative coordination, systematic management, and practical occupational health activities. The findings provide a framework that may support the development of structured education and training programs to strengthen occupational health nursing practice in increasingly complex work environments.

Objective : This study examined whether adolescent group-based exercise is associated with walking time and sports group participation in older age and explored sensitive period and accumulation models. Methods : Cross-sectional data were drawn from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, including 19,249 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65. Group-based exercise was retrospectively assessed and defined using 3 approaches. First, exposure was participation at ages 13–18. Second, to isolate adolescent participation, we included only those active at ages 13–18. Third, an accumulation score was calculated by summing participation across 5 periods. Outcomes included walking ≥30 minutes per day and weekly sports group participation. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using modified Poisson regression. Stratified analyses were conducted by sex and adolescent living standard. Results : Adolescent group-based exercise was associated with walking ≥30 minutes per day (prevalence ratio: 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.06) and weekly sports group participation (1.18; 95% CI, 1.11–1.25) in older age; associations were consistent across sex and adolescent living standard. Individuals who exercised only during adolescence still had higher activity levels in later life, supporting the sensitive period model. A greater number of life stages with participation was associated with higher later-life activity, supporting accumulation. Conclusion : Participating in group-based exercise during adolescence is associated with greater walking time and sports group participation in later life. Both adolescent exposure and cumulative engagement contribute to this association. Promoting equitable access to organized sports during adolescence and ensuring opportunities for organized physical activity across life stages may support greater walking time and sports group participation in older age.

Objective: While watching sports may enhance older adults’ happiness, the relationship between sports spectatorship and happiness may vary depending on on-site or TV/Internet. This study examined associations between different forms of sports spectatorship (on-site and TV/Internet) and happiness among older adults in Japan. Methods: We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, conducted in 2019 and 2022. The outcome variable was happiness, and the explanatory variables were watching sports on-site, watching professional sports on-site, and watching sports on TV/Internet. Multiple linear regression was performed to examine the association between watching sports and happiness, after adjusting for potential confounders. A modified Poisson regression analysis was performed for the binarized outcome with a cutoff of 8 points. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sports club participation, age, and sex. Results: Watching sports on-site a few times annually was associated with higher happiness scores (B: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.19) and a higher prevalence of happiness (PR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.12) than not watching sports. Similar results were observed when the participants watched professional sports a few times annually (B: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.22; PR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.12). No significant associations were found between watching sports on TV/Internet and happiness. The associations were more pronounced among participants who did not participate in sports clubs, males, and those aged < 75 years. Conclusion: Watching sports on-site, particularly a few times a year, was associated with higher happiness levels among older adults. These findings highlight the importance of developing targeted interventions that promote older adults’ access to live sports events as a public health strategy.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the primary preventive effects of physical activity interventions delivered through digital health technology (DHT) on workers’ mental health symptoms, and to examine the conditions of attrition and adherence in these interventions. Methods: We examined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed the effects of physical activity interventions delivered through DHT on workers’ health outcomes. We included RCTs published in English or Japanese since 2010 and excluded studies that targeted specific diseases or secondary and tertiary prevention. We conducted the search on July 25, 2023, using Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Ichushi-Web, and citation searches. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2, and data were integrated using a random-effects model. Attrition rates were averaged, and adherence was qualitatively reviewed. Results: Eight studies were included in the systematic review, and 5 in the meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes immediately after intervention were as follows: Cohen d = −0.51 (95% CI, −0.75 to −0.27) for depression and negative affect, and −0.36 (95% CI, −0.60 to −0.05) for perceived stress. The attrition rate was 16.8% and 12.4% for the control and intervention groups, with only 2 studies providing details on adherence. Conclusions: Physical activity interventions delivered through DHT may moderately improve depression and negative affect, and slightly reduce perceived stress among workers. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies and low evidence certainty. Future studies should explore long-term effects, additional mental health outcomes, and factors affecting adherence.

Objectives: Teleworking from home was widespread during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. This working practice is expected to maintain popularity among employers and employees. Compared with in-person workers, teleworkers tend to be less physically active and have more musculoskeletal pain. Interventions specific to reducing health risks among teleworkers have not been identified. This study will examine the effects of an occupational lifestyle intervention encompassing 3 components: physical activity promotion, musculoskeletal health, and work environment improvement. Methods: This cluster randomized trial will have a target sample size of 500 participants. The target population is healthy adults aged 18-64 years who telework at least once per week. Randomization will be conducted on a stratified block basis for clusters of 20 to 100 individuals within the recruited companies. The intervention period will be 12 weeks and comprise individual (online lectures, feedback, and periodic email messages), sociocultural (team building through step competition), physical (poster and tabletop pop-up), and organizational (encouraging message from an executive) strategies. The intervention group will be compared with a wait-list control group. The primary outcome will be the number of steps taken, as assessed by an accelerometer, and the secondary outcomes will be musculoskeletal pain and a telecommuting environment. The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (ID: UMIN000053861) (https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000061478&type=summary&language=J). Results: Study enrollment began in March 2024, and the intervention will be completed by March 2025. Conclusions: The results of this study are expected to provide helpful data for promoting healthy teleworking practices.