Objectives: We evaluated the usefulness of tooth brushing with toothpaste as active rest using the flicker value as a physiological parameter and a subjective questionnaire as a psychological parameter. Methods: Seventeen healthy, right-handed subjects (12 males and 5 females) aged 22.5 ± 1.5 yr (mean ± standard deviation) were randomly divided into tooth brushing with toothpaste (N=9) and non-tooth brushing groups (N=8). The subjects performed a serial calculation task for 20 min using personal computers. Subsequently, the tooth brushing group brushed their teeth, and the flicker value and mood were compared before and after the tooth brushing. Results: The flicker value significantly increased in the tooth brushing group compared with the non-tooth brushing group (p<0.05). Concerning the mood, in the tooth brushing group, the incidence of a “feeling of being refreshed” significantly increased (p<0.05), that of “concentration power” or a “feeling of clear-headedness” tended to increase (p<0.1), and that of “lassitude” or “sleepiness” significantly decreased (p<0.01). Conclusions: Somatosensory stimulation and intraoral tactile stimulation during tooth brushing activated cerebral activity, producing refreshing effects. These results suggest the applicability of tooth brushing to active rest.
(San Ei Shi 2010; 52: 67-73)

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Objectives and Methods: Recently, the use of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) has been increasing as an alternative to glutaraldehyde for endoscope disinfection. To better understand OPA exposure and its health effects among disinfection workers, we conducted environmental monitoring and administered a questionnaire in 17 endoscope disinfection rooms. There were 9 manual disinfection rooms using immersion vats for scope disinfection and 8 automatic rooms using automatic washers. Results: OPA exposure concentration during the disinfection process of scope was significantly higher in the manual group (median: 1.43ppb, range: not detected (ND-5.37ppb) than in the automatic group (median: 0.35 ppb, range: ND-0.69 ppb). Similarly, during charging and discharging the antiseptic solution, OPA levels were significantly higher in the manual group (median: 2.58 ppb, range: 0.92-10.0 ppb) than in the automatic group (median: 0.46ppb, range: ND-1.35 ppb). Time-weighted averages of OPA exposure concentration during work shifts were 0.33 to 1.15 ppb (median 0.66 ppb) in the manual group and 0.13 to 1.28 ppb (median 0.33 ppb) in the automatic group, which suggests that manual workers are exposed to OPA at higher levels. Among 80 female disinfection workers who used only antiseptic solutions containing OPA, the incidence of disinfection-related complaints were 10% skin, 9% eye, and 16% respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that it is desirable to introduce automatic washers to decrease OPA exposure levels among disinfection workers.
(San Ei Shi 2010; 52: 74-80)

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Objectives: We conducted mental health training incorporating active listening for managers at a site of a general chemical company with 1,400 employees. Our purpose was to clarify the effect of active listening training of 2.5h. Methods: All subjects were managers. The mental health training was given to 229 managers, 21 times from May 2007 until March 2008. Surveys were conducted from May 2007 to September 2008. The training sessions were conducted in a company meeting room, starting at 2:00 p.m. The importance and significance of listening as a mental health measure and methods of active listening were explained in the training. Afterward, role-playing and follow-up discussions were done twice each. In summaries, participants wrote down what they noticed about listening and gave group presentations. The instructor commented on the presentations, and ended the session by passing out and explaining a paper summarizing what is important in listening. The training was evaluated with a questionnaire distributed at the completion of training, and questionnaires on implementation of what was learned were distributed 1, 3, and 6 mo later. The Active Listening Attitude Scale (ALAS; composed of two scales for method of listening and listening attitude) developed by Mishima et al. was also used before and 1, 3, and 6 mo after the training. Results and Conclusions: In questionnaires distributed on the same day after training, 60% of the 212 respondents said the training time was just right, and 30.1% felt it was too short. The difficulty level of the training was considered appropriate by 77.8%, and 79.7% intended to implement what they had learned. Overall satisfaction was high at 85.9%. In the questionnaire 6 mo after training, 81.4% of the 145 respondents remembered the content of the training and 49.7% said they were practicing what they had learned. They responded that their conversations with subordinates about non-work topics had increased, and communication and support at work had become smoother. ALAS was administered 4 times, from before training to 6 mo afterward, and analysis was conducted for 84 respondents. No significant difference was seen in attitude to listening, but the score increased compared with before the training. The score for method of listening increased significantly. The same results were seen when the analysis was expanded to 125 respondents before and 6 mo after the training. These results are similar to those reported previously for ALAS. The findings suggest that even short listening training of 2 h and 30 min has a positive lasting effect.
(San Ei Shi 2010; 52: 81-91)

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