Occupational health, cognitive disorders and occupational neuropsychology

Caixeta, Leonardo; Silva Júnior, George Martins Ney da; Caixeta, Victor de Melo; Reimer, Cláudio Henrique Ribeiro; Azevedo, Paulo Verlaine Borges e

doi:10.1590/S1980-57642012DN06040002

ABSTRACT

Work can be an important etiologic factor in the genesis of some mental disorders including cognitive disability. Occupational neuropsychology constitutes an intriguing new but neglected area of research and clinical practice which deals with the neurocognitive consequences of the work environment and work habits. Neuropsychological knowledge is fundamental to understand cognitive requirements of work competence. Work can impact sleep patterns and mental energy, which in turn can cause neuropsychological symptoms. This report presents relevant evidence to illustrate the relationship between work and cognitive dysfunction.

Key words:
occupational health; cognitive disorders; neuropsychology; executive functions; burnout

RESUMO

O trabalho pode ser um importante fator etiológico na gênese de algumas doenças mentais, incluindo transtornos cognitivos. A neuropsicologia ocupacional constitui uma intrigante, mas negligenciada nova área de pesquisa e atuação clínica, que lida com as consequências neurocognitivas do ambiente e dos hábitos de trabalho. O conhecimento neuropsicológico é fundamental para se entender os pressupostos cognitivos da competência no trabalho. O trabalho pode afetar os padrões de sono e de energia mental, que por sua vez podem causar sintomas neuropsicológicos. Foi realizada uma apresentação de evidências relevantes para ilustrar a relação entre trabalho e disfunção cognitiva.

Palavras-chave:
saúde ocupacional; transtornos cognitivos; neuropsicologia; funções executivas; burnout

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REFERENCES

Cornelius LR, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW, Brouwer S. Prognostic factors of long term disability due to mental disorders: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21:259-274.
Khalil N, Morrow LA, Needleman H, Talbott EO, Wilson JW, Cauley JA. Association of cumulative lead and neurocognitive function in an occupational cohort. Neuropsychology 2009;23:10-19.
Camargo DAC, Guimarães LAM, Caetano D. Psiquiatria ocupacional I: aspectos históricos e conceituais J Bras Psiquiatr 2004;53:321-330.
Camargo DAC, Caetano D, Liliana AM. Psiquiatria ocupacional II: síndromes psiquiátricas orgânicas relacionadas ao trabalho. J Bras Psiquiatr 2005;54:21-33.
Organização Mundial da Saúde. Relatório mundial da saúde. Saúde mental: nova concepção, nova esperança. Lisboa: OMS; 2002.
Mendes AMB. Os novos paradigmas da organização do trabalho: implicação na saúde mental. Rev Bras de Saúde Ocup 1997;23:55-60.
Baker DB, Landrigan PJ. Occupationally related disorders. Med Clin North Am 1990;74:441-460.
Landrigan PJ, Baker DB. The recognition and control of occupational disease. JAMA 1991;266:676-680.
Jané-Llopis E, Barry M, Hosman C, Patel V. What works in mental health promotion. Promotion Education 2005;12( Supplement 2):9-25.
Costa G, Sartori S. Ageing, working hours and work ability. Ergonomics 2007; 50: 1914-1930.
Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Martikainen R. Aging, work, life-style and work ability among Finnish municipal workers in 1981-1992. Scand J Work Environ Health 1997;23:58-65.
Ilmarinen J. Aging workers. Occup Environ Med 2001;58:546-552.
Rouch I, Wild P, Ansiau D, Marquié JC. Shiftwork experience, age and cognitive performance. Ergonomics 2005;48:1282-1293.
Elinson L, Houck P, Marcus S, Pincus H. Depression and the ability to work. Psychiatr Serv 2004;5:29-34.
Eby L, Butts M, Lockwood A. Predictors of success in the area of the boundaryless career. J Organ Behav 2003;24:689-708.
Kern LK, Friedman HS, Martin LR, Reynolds CA, Luong G. Conscientiousness, career success, and longevity: a lifespan analysis. Ann Behav Med 2009;37: 154-156.
Marqueze EC, Voltz GP, Borges FN, Moreno CR. A 2-year follow-up study of work ability among college educators. Appl Ergon 2008;39: 640-645.
Silva CF, Silvério J, Nossa P, Rodrigues V, Pereira A, Queirós A. envelhecimento, ritmos biológicos e capacidade laboral - versão portuguesa do Work Ability Index. Psicolo Teor Inv Prat 2000;2:329-339.
Williams PG, Thayer, JT. Executive Functioning and Health: Introduction to the Special Series. Ann Behav Med 2009:37:154-163.
Jurado MB, Rosselli M. The elusive nature of executive functions: a review of our current understanding. Neuropsychol Rev 2007;17:213-233.
Alvarez JA. Emory E. Executive function and the frontal lobes: a meta-analytic review. Neuropsychol Rev 2006;16:17-42.
Sorel O, Pennequin V. Aging of the Planning process: The role of executive functioning. Brain Cog 2008;66:196-201.
Denburg NL, Weller JA,Yamada TH, et al. Poor Decision Making Among Older Adults Is Related to Elevated Levels of Neuroticism. Ann Behav Med 2009; 37:164-172
Ramminger T. A saúde mental do trabalhador em saúde mental: um estudo com trabalhadores de um hospital psiquiátrico. Bol Saúde 2002; 16:111-124.
Luyster FS, Strollo PJ Jr, Zee PC, Walsh JK. Sleep: a health imperative. Sleep 2012;35:727-734.
Barger LK, Cade BE, Ayas NT, Cronin JW, Rosner B, Speizer FE and Czeisler CA. Extended work shifts and the risk of motor vehicle crashes among interns. N Engl J Med 2005;352:125-134.
Raslear TG, Hursh SR, Van Dongen HP. Predicting cognitive impairment and accident risk. Prog Brain Res 2011;190:155-167.
Ikegami K, Ogyu S, Arakomo Y, Suzuki K, Mafune K, Hiro H, Nagata S. Recovery of cognitive performance and fatigue after one night of sleep deprivation. J Occup Health 2009;51:412-422.
Machi MS, Staum M, Callaway CW, Moore C, Jeong K, Suyama J, et al. The relationship between shift work, sleep, and cognition in career emergency physicians. Acad Emerg Med 2012;19:85-91.
Rollinson DC, Rathlev NK, Moss M, Killiany R, Sassower KC, Auerbach S, et al. The effects of consecutive night shifts on neuropsychological performance of interns in the emergency department: a pilot study. Ann Emerg Med 2003;41:400-406.
Proctor SP, White RF, Robins TG, Echeverria D, Rocskay AZ. Effect of overtime work on cognitive function in automotive workers. Scand J Work Environ Health . 1996;22:124-132.
Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Yamaguti K, Kajimoto O, Kuratsune H, Watanabe Y. Mental fatigue caused by prolonged cognitive load associated with sympathetic hyperactivity. Behav Brain Funct 2011;7:17-22.
Lieberman HR. Cognitive methods for assessing mental energy. Nutr Neurosci. 2007;10:229-42.
van der Linden D, Frese M, Meijman TF. Mental fatigue and the control of cognitive processes: effects on perseveration and planning. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2003;113:45-65.
Schaufeli WB, Buunk BP. Burnout: an overview of 25 years of research and theorizing. In: Schabracq MJ, Winnubst JAM, Cooper CC, eds. The Handbook of Work and Health Psychology, 2nd ed. West Sussex, UK: Wiley; 2003:383-429.
Shirom A. Job-related burnout. In: Quick JC, Tetrick LE, eds. Handbook of Occupational Health Psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2003:245-265.
Oosterholt BG, Van der Linden D, Maes JH, Verbraak MJ, Kompier MA. Burned out cognition - cognitive functioning of burnout patients before and after a period with psychological treatment. Scand J Work Environ Health 2012; 38:358-369.
Kristensen TS, Borrits M, Villdsen E, Christensen KB. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: a new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work Stress 2005;19:192-207.
Green DE, Walkey FH, Taylor AJ. The three-factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory: a multicultural, multinational confirmatory study. J Soc Behav Personal 1991;6:453-472.
Petrilli RM, Roach GD, Dawson D, Lamond N. The sleep, subjective fatigue, and sustained attention of commercial airline pilots during an international pattern. Chronobiol Int 2006;23:1357-1362.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
Oct-Dec 2012

History

Received
19 July 2012
Accepted
03 Oct 2012

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

[1] Cornelius LR, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW, Brouwer S. Prognostic factors of long term disability due to mental disorders: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21:259-274.

[2] Khalil N, Morrow LA, Needleman H, Talbott EO, Wilson JW, Cauley JA. Association of cumulative lead and neurocognitive function in an occupational cohort. Neuropsychology 2009;23:10-19.

[3] Camargo DAC, Guimarães LAM, Caetano D. Psiquiatria ocupacional I: aspectos históricos e conceituais J Bras Psiquiatr 2004;53:321-330.

[4] Camargo DAC, Caetano D, Liliana AM. Psiquiatria ocupacional II: síndromes psiquiátricas orgânicas relacionadas ao trabalho. J Bras Psiquiatr 2005;54:21-33.

[5] Organização Mundial da Saúde. Relatório mundial da saúde. Saúde mental: nova concepção, nova esperança. Lisboa: OMS; 2002.

[6] Mendes AMB. Os novos paradigmas da organização do trabalho: implicação na saúde mental. Rev Bras de Saúde Ocup 1997;23:55-60.

[7] Baker DB, Landrigan PJ. Occupationally related disorders. Med Clin North Am 1990;74:441-460.

[8] Landrigan PJ, Baker DB. The recognition and control of occupational disease. JAMA 1991;266:676-680.

[9] Jané-Llopis E, Barry M, Hosman C, Patel V. What works in mental health promotion. Promotion Education 2005;12( Supplement 2):9-25.

[10] Costa G, Sartori S. Ageing, working hours and work ability. Ergonomics 2007; 50: 1914-1930.

[11] Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Martikainen R. Aging, work, life-style and work ability among Finnish municipal workers in 1981-1992. Scand J Work Environ Health 1997;23:58-65.

[12] Ilmarinen J. Aging workers. Occup Environ Med 2001;58:546-552.

[13] Rouch I, Wild P, Ansiau D, Marquié JC. Shiftwork experience, age and cognitive performance. Ergonomics 2005;48:1282-1293.

[14] Elinson L, Houck P, Marcus S, Pincus H. Depression and the ability to work. Psychiatr Serv 2004;5:29-34.

[15] Eby L, Butts M, Lockwood A. Predictors of success in the area of the boundaryless career. J Organ Behav 2003;24:689-708.

[16] Kern LK, Friedman HS, Martin LR, Reynolds CA, Luong G. Conscientiousness, career success, and longevity: a lifespan analysis. Ann Behav Med 2009;37: 154-156.

[17] Marqueze EC, Voltz GP, Borges FN, Moreno CR. A 2-year follow-up study of work ability among college educators. Appl Ergon 2008;39: 640-645.

[18] Silva CF, Silvério J, Nossa P, Rodrigues V, Pereira A, Queirós A. envelhecimento, ritmos biológicos e capacidade laboral - versão portuguesa do Work Ability Index. Psicolo Teor Inv Prat 2000;2:329-339.

[19] Williams PG, Thayer, JT. Executive Functioning and Health: Introduction to the Special Series. Ann Behav Med 2009:37:154-163.

[20] Jurado MB, Rosselli M. The elusive nature of executive functions: a review of our current understanding. Neuropsychol Rev 2007;17:213-233.

[21] Alvarez JA. Emory E. Executive function and the frontal lobes: a meta-analytic review. Neuropsychol Rev 2006;16:17-42.

[22] Sorel O, Pennequin V. Aging of the Planning process: The role of executive functioning. Brain Cog 2008;66:196-201.

[23] Denburg NL, Weller JA,Yamada TH, et al. Poor Decision Making Among Older Adults Is Related to Elevated Levels of Neuroticism. Ann Behav Med 2009; 37:164-172

[24] Ramminger T. A saúde mental do trabalhador em saúde mental: um estudo com trabalhadores de um hospital psiquiátrico. Bol Saúde 2002; 16:111-124.

[25] Luyster FS, Strollo PJ Jr, Zee PC, Walsh JK. Sleep: a health imperative. Sleep 2012;35:727-734.

[26] Barger LK, Cade BE, Ayas NT, Cronin JW, Rosner B, Speizer FE and Czeisler CA. Extended work shifts and the risk of motor vehicle crashes among interns. N Engl J Med 2005;352:125-134.

[27] Raslear TG, Hursh SR, Van Dongen HP. Predicting cognitive impairment and accident risk. Prog Brain Res 2011;190:155-167.

[28] Ikegami K, Ogyu S, Arakomo Y, Suzuki K, Mafune K, Hiro H, Nagata S. Recovery of cognitive performance and fatigue after one night of sleep deprivation. J Occup Health 2009;51:412-422.

[29] Machi MS, Staum M, Callaway CW, Moore C, Jeong K, Suyama J, et al. The relationship between shift work, sleep, and cognition in career emergency physicians. Acad Emerg Med 2012;19:85-91.

[30] Rollinson DC, Rathlev NK, Moss M, Killiany R, Sassower KC, Auerbach S, et al. The effects of consecutive night shifts on neuropsychological performance of interns in the emergency department: a pilot study. Ann Emerg Med 2003;41:400-406.

[31] Proctor SP, White RF, Robins TG, Echeverria D, Rocskay AZ. Effect of overtime work on cognitive function in automotive workers. Scand J Work Environ Health . 1996;22:124-132.

[32] Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Yamaguti K, Kajimoto O, Kuratsune H, Watanabe Y. Mental fatigue caused by prolonged cognitive load associated with sympathetic hyperactivity. Behav Brain Funct 2011;7:17-22.

[33] Lieberman HR. Cognitive methods for assessing mental energy. Nutr Neurosci. 2007;10:229-42.

[34] van der Linden D, Frese M, Meijman TF. Mental fatigue and the control of cognitive processes: effects on perseveration and planning. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2003;113:45-65.

[35] Schaufeli WB, Buunk BP. Burnout: an overview of 25 years of research and theorizing. In: Schabracq MJ, Winnubst JAM, Cooper CC, eds. The Handbook of Work and Health Psychology, 2nd ed. West Sussex, UK: Wiley; 2003:383-429.

[36] Shirom A. Job-related burnout. In: Quick JC, Tetrick LE, eds. Handbook of Occupational Health Psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2003:245-265.

[37] Oosterholt BG, Van der Linden D, Maes JH, Verbraak MJ, Kompier MA. Burned out cognition - cognitive functioning of burnout patients before and after a period with psychological treatment. Scand J Work Environ Health 2012; 38:358-369.

[38] Kristensen TS, Borrits M, Villdsen E, Christensen KB. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: a new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work Stress 2005;19:192-207.

[39] Green DE, Walkey FH, Taylor AJ. The three-factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory: a multicultural, multinational confirmatory study. J Soc Behav Personal 1991;6:453-472.

[40] Petrilli RM, Roach GD, Dawson D, Lamond N. The sleep, subjective fatigue, and sustained attention of commercial airline pilots during an international pattern. Chronobiol Int 2006;23:1357-1362.

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