Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: To confirm that the phaco chop method using an illuminated chopper (iChopper; Oculight, Seongnam, Korea) can reduce cataract surgery complications, and that even beginners can safely and effectively perform phaco chop. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the first 30 phaco chop cases using illuminated chopper of four cataract surgeons. Four ophthalmologists had a variety of empirical backgrounds, from those who have experienced more than 10,000 cataract surgery, to beginners who have experienced 20 cataract surgery. Results: Of the total 120 eyes, two eyes (1.67%) had posterior capsule rupture. The chopping method was changed from phaco chop to stop and chop in three eyes (2.5%) including one eye with brown cataract with pseudoexofoliation syndrome and two eyes with nuclear opacity grade ≥5. Conclusions The rates of posterior capsule rupture of phaco chop using an illuminated chopper were very low in four surgeons with various experiences and who became proficient shortly in phaco chop.

Purpose: This study analyzed the effects of non-damaging retinal laser therapy (NRT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who were undergoing follow-up with NRT from November 2016 to February 2018. NRT was performed in patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection at least two times with no improvement in visual acuity and a reduced amount of subretinal fluid. Before and after treatment, logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) evaluation and subretinal fluid (SRF) according to thickness measurements of the macula determined from optical coherence tomography imagery were performed over a period of at least 6 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) with chronic central serous retinopathy were treated with NRT. The mean age of patients was 54.6 ± 13.19 years old and the mean duration of follow-up was 9.75 ± 3.20 months. The central macular thickness decreased from 375 to 246 nm (p < 0.001) and BCVA improved from 0.48 to 0.40 (p = 0.028). SRF completely resolved in 55.56% of the patients after NRT. Conclusions In patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, which did not improve even after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, NRT is a relatively safe and effective treatment.

Purpose: To report a rare case of bilateral optic nerve sheath meningocele diagnosed in a patient with exophthalmos.Case summary: A 33-year-old male visited our clinic with bilateral exophthalmos for 6 months. The patient had been diagnosed with hypertension 3 years previously; however, the condition had been poorly controlled. He also had a history of treatment associated with retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, and papilledema 2 years earlier. There was no limitation in his ocular movement. A Hertel exophthalmometry test showed bilateral exophthalmos of 20 mm in both eyes. Visual field tests showed an inferior arcuate visual field defect in the right eye and a superotemporal peripheral field defect in the left eye. In orbital magnetic resonance imagery, cerebrospinal fluid space widening along the optic nerve and flattening of the bilateral posterior pole of the eye were evident. The patient was diagnosed with optic nerve sheath meningocele. Conclusions Optic nerve sheath meningocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis of exophthalmos patients. Because it is a disease that can affect visual function in a manner similar to that of a visual field defect, rapid diagnosis through imaging study and thorough regular follow-up examinations are essential.

Purpose: To report a rare case of bilateral optic nerve sheath meningocele diagnosed in a patient with exophthalmos.Case summary: A 33-year-old male visited our clinic with bilateral exophthalmos for 6 months. The patient had been diagnosed with hypertension 3 years previously; however, the condition had been poorly controlled. He also had a history of treatment associated with retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, and papilledema 2 years earlier. There was no limitation in his ocular movement. A Hertel exophthalmometry test showed bilateral exophthalmos of 20 mm in both eyes. Visual field tests showed an inferior arcuate visual field defect in the right eye and a superotemporal peripheral field defect in the left eye. In orbital magnetic resonance imagery, cerebrospinal fluid space widening along the optic nerve and flattening of the bilateral posterior pole of the eye were evident. The patient was diagnosed with optic nerve sheath meningocele. Conclusions Optic nerve sheath meningocele should be considered as a differential diagnosis of exophthalmos patients. Because it is a disease that can affect visual function in a manner similar to that of a visual field defect, rapid diagnosis through imaging study and thorough regular follow-up examinations are essential.

PURPOSE: We compared the posterior capsule rupture (PCR) rate between microscope versus intracameral illumination in phacoemulsification surgery performed by novice ophthalmologists. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 300 eyes of 211 patients who underwent phacoemulsification by novice ophthalmologists from March 2012 to October 2017. Novice ophthalmologists (n = 6) were divided into those using microscope illumination (n = 4) and intracameral illumination users (n = 2). The first 50 cataract surgery cases of each novice ophthalmologist were reviewed. The results using a phacoemulsification machine and microscopy were the same. The intraoperative complications and learning curve in each case were evaluated. RESULTS: Phacoemulsifications performed by novice ophthalmologists showed a statistically significant difference in PCR rate between the microscope illumination (19.0%, 38/200) and intracameral illumination (4.0%, 4/100) groups (p = 0.001). The incidence of PCR was reduced to 22%, 18%, 16%, 12%, and 8% per 10 cases in the microscope group, while it was 15% in the first 10 cases and 0% in 50 cases thereafter in the intracameral illumination group. CONCLUSIONS: Novice surgeons had a lower PCR rate during cataract surgery using intracameral illumination than using microscope illumination. Both groups showed a tendency for the PCR to decrease with increasing surgical cases, but the intracameral illumination group showed a shorter learning curve.
Cataract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; Learning Curve ; Lighting ; Microscopy ; Phacoemulsification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Health examinations are performed so that diseases can be identified and treated earlier. Several studies have evaluated the determinants of participation in health examinations including cancer screening, but few have evaluated the relationship between the size of the enterprise and their participation in Workers' General Health Examinations (WGHE). The aim of the present study was to estimate the association of WGHE participation with the size of the enterprise and the type of policyholder. METHODS: The eligible population from 2006 through 2013 was extracted from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. The population size ranged from 14–17 million. After adjustment for age and gender, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios of participating in the WGHE (by age group) based on the type of policyholder (reference: public officers) and the size of the enterprise (reference: enterprise size ≥300 employees), respectively. RESULTS: Workers employed at enterprises with <50 persons were less likely to participate in WGHEs than those employed at enterprises with ≥300 persons. After policyholders were stratified by type (non-office workers vs. public officers), a disparity in the WGHE participation rate was found between the different types of policyholders at enterprises with <50 employees (reference: those employed at enterprises with ≥300 employees); the odds ratios for subjects in their 40s and 50s were 0.2–0.3 for non-office workers vs. 0.8–2.0 for public officers. CONCLUSION: Workplace policyholders at small enterprises comprised a vulnerable group less likely to participate in WGHEs. Efforts should be made to raise the WGHE participation rate among the vulnerable employees belonging to small enterprises, as well as among their dependents.
Early Detection of Cancer ; Healthcare Disparities ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; National Health Programs ; Odds Ratio ; Population Density ; Socioeconomic Factors*