Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing, phenotypically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease affecting mainly the motor neuron system. The present voxel-based morphometry (VBM) study investigated whether patterns of brain atrophy differ among sporadic ALS subtypes. Sporadic ALS patients (n = 62) with normal cognition and age-matched healthy controls (n = 57) were included in the study. ALS patients were divided into limb- and bulbar-onset groups according to clinical manifestations at symptom onset (n = 48 and 14, respectively). Clinical measures were ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score, disease duration, and forced vital capacity (FVC). Patterns of brain atrophy between ALS subgroups were compared by VBM. In limb-onset ALS patients, atrophy was largely confined to the motor cortex and adjacent pre- and postcentral regions. However, in the bulbar-onset group, affected regions were more widespread and included these same areas but also extended to the bilateral frontotemporal and left superior temporal and supramarginal gyri, and multiple regression analysis revealed that their ALSFRS-R scores were associated with extensive loss of gray matter while FVC was related to atrophy in subcortical regions of the left superior temporal gyrus. In limb-onset ALS patients, disease duration was related to the degree of atrophy in the motor and adjacent areas. Sporadic ALS subtypes show different patterns of brain atrophy. Neural networks related to limb and bulbar motor functions in each ALS subtype may underlie their distinct patterns of cerebral atrophy. That is, more extensive cortical and subcortical atrophy is correlated with greater ALSFRS-R severity and shorter disease duration in the bulbar-onset subtype and may explain the poor prognosis of these patients.

This study investigated the association of job stress, quality of sleep, and near-miss error experiences among nurses working in general hospitals. A convenience sample of 195 nurses with over 3 months of work experience in a general hospital participated in the study. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0. Factors influencing experiences of near-miss errors were examined through univariable and multivariate logistic regression. In total, 58.5% of nurses in a general hospital had experienced near-miss errors. Nurses in the upper job stress tertile (≥118) were 2.24 times more likely to encounter near-miss errors (95% CI: 1.07–4.69) and particularly 2.58 times (95% CI: 1.26–5.26) in falls and medical equipment-related near-miss errors. Nurses working more than 3 h of overtime per week had a 2.72 times higher (95% CI: 1.35–5.48) likelihood of experiencing near-miss errors related to falls and medical equipment and 4.03 times higher (95% CI: 1.92–8.45) likelihood of experiencing near-miss errors associated with examination procedures. To prevent near-miss errors among nurses in general hospitals, effective management of organizational job stress is crucial. Particularly for departments with a high level of overtime work (more than 3 h/week), it is essential to provide and manage educational programs on patient safety.

The present study’s objective was to determine the mechanisms for enhancing the utility of action checklists applied in participatory approach programs for workplace improvements, to identify the benefits of building consensus and to compare their applicability in Asian countries to find the most appropriate configuration for action checklists. Data were collected from eight trainees and 43 trainers with experience in Participatory Action-Oriented Training. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS using the package PASW, version 19.0. The difference in the mean score for the degree of the utility of action checklists between countries was analyzed using ANOVA methods. Factor analysis was performed to validate the action checklists’ utility. Pearson Correlation Coefficients were then calculated to determine the direction and strength of the relationship between these factors. Using responses obtained from trainees’ in-depth interviews, we identified 33 key statements that were then classified into 11 thematic clusters. Five factors were extracted, namely “ease of application”, “practical solutions”, “group interaction”, “multifaceted perspective” and “active involvement”. The action checklist was useful for facilitating a participatory process among trainees and trainers for improving working conditions. Action checklists showed similar patterns of utility in various Asian countries; particularly when adjusted to local conditions.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify whether occupational health nursing variables serve as the contributing factors to musculoskeletal pains (MSP). Methods. A self-administered questionnaire composed of demographic characteristics, the practice of occupational health nursing and information regarding MSP was designed based on in-depth interviews with eight nurses. This study included 226 hospital nursing staff who worked at three university hospitals located in Seoul, South Korea. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS and AMOS 19.0. Results. Shoulder and neck pains occurred when subjects worked more than 46 h/week. Subjects who performed ‘work-time adjustment’ had lesser chance of having shoulder, leg/foot and wrist/finger pains. Overtime work hours showed an indirect effect on multiple sites of MSP by mediator variable, which was ‘work-time adjustment’. Organized night duty days eventually decreased multiple sites of MSP. Conclusion. Administration strategies for nurses to adjust work-time within 46 h/week should be considered.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a common concern among older adults in the South Korean population. Thus, non-pharmacological interventions are needed to reduce cognition, communication, and mood complaints. This study evaluated the effects of a Roadmap Time-Traveling Intervention program (RMTI), a digital reminiscence therapy intervention, on cognitive measurements, communication, and mood in older adults with SCD. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Cognitive function, communication difficulties, quality of life (QoL), depression, and anxiety were assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and four weeks post-intervention (T2). Generalized estimation equations were utilized to analyze the program's effectiveness over time (T0-T1) between groups. A repeated measures ANOVA and the Friedman/Wilcoxon signed-rank tests examined changes across the three time points (T0-T1-T2) within the experimental group. The study followed the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. The experimental group exhibited significant improvements in the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) scores (p < .001) and QoL (p < .001) compared with the control group: MMSE-K scores (Ⲭ² = 9.55, p = .008), communication difficulties (Ⲭ² = 8.57, p = .014), and QoL (Ⲭ² = 3.35, p = .046) improved significantly across the three time points (T0-T1-T2). The RMTI effectively enhanced MMSE-K scores, reduced communication difficulties, and enhanced the QoL in older adults with SCD. This program shows promise for broader implementation in community settings for older adults with SCD.