Noise & Health最新文献

Objective: The operation of open-pit mines relies on powerful equipment that produces noise emissions reaching up to 120 dB. Populations living in the vicinity of mines often complain about noise even when the noise levels are below the permissible limits. This study aims to assess noise perception and related environmental risks among residents living near the Turow open-pit lignite mine, located at the tri-border of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

Methods: A modified ISO/TS 15666:2003 questionnaire was used to collect data from residents in exposed areas (n = 59 of 230 adult residents) and in a control area (n = 54 of 360 adult residents) during 2022 to 2023. All adult residents were contacted. The χ2 test and a binary logistic regression model at the 5% significance level were used for the analysis.

Results: Industrial noise, described as "humming" and "rumbling," was identified as the primary concern in exposed areas (P = 0.030), with residents reporting high levels of annoyance and a perceived worsening of the noise situation over the past 5 years. Another significant problem was dust pollution (P = 0.024). The overall perceived quality of life in the exposed area was more than two times worse than that in the control area (odds ratio = 2.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-4.99).

Conclusion: Despite the small number of exposed residents and the low response rate in this study, its findings suggest that even legally acceptable noise levels can significantly affect the perceived quality of life of residents.

Background: Noise pollution, primarily caused by intense traffic activity, is a significant environmental stressor in cities such as Chandigarh, India. Prolonged exposure to environmental noise can trigger various psychological and physiological health disturbances. This study aims to identify the direct and indirect factors contributing to noise annoyance (NA) and associated health problems using Structural Equation Modeling.

Methods: A socioacoustic survey was conducted at 25 locations across Chandigarh from January 2, 2024 to June 1, 2024. A total of 562 participants provided responses on demographic details, perceived noise levels, noise sensitivity, NA, and health complaints, including sleeping disorders, blood pressure (BP) issues, anxiety, and headache. SmartPLS software (Version 3.0, SmartPLS GmbH, Boenningstedt, Germany) was used to develop and validate the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were confirmed through measurement model assessment.

Results: The PLS-SEM demonstrated that noise sources, noise sensitivity, and demographic characteristics significantly predicted NA. Noise sources emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.41, t = 7.05, P < 0.001), followed by noise sensitivity (β = 0.35, t = 6.15, P < 0.001) and demographics (β = 0.21, t = 6.75, P < 0.001). The structural model showed substantial predictive accuracy for NA with R2 = 0.78. NA further exhibited significant effects on health-related outcomes, including sleeping disorder (β = 0.50, t = 11.79, P < 0.001), BP (β = 0.77, t = 13.01, P < 0.001), anxiety (β = 0.62, t = 9.21, P < 0.001), and headache (β = 0.52, t = 8.29, P < 0.001). Overall, the model confirmed that NA acts as the dominant pathway linking acoustic and non-acoustic factors with perceived health disturbances.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive model explaining how environmental noise contributes to annoyance and psychological health problems. The findings can inform evidence-based urban planning and public health policies to mitigate the harmful effects of environmental noise.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the effects of music therapy combined with the Objective-Rules-Training-Check-Culture (ORTCC) model-based nursing in patients undergoing vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) for surgical wounds.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data of 132 patients from Cangzhou Central Hospital receiving VSD for hand and foot surgeries between June 2022 and June 2023 were retrospectively analysed. In accordance with actual nursing protocols, participants were allocated to either the ORTCC group (n = 67), receiving systematic ORTCC model-based nursing, or the combination group (n = 65), receiving additional music therapy alongside ORTCC nursing. Outcomes included fear of disease progression [Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF)], mood states [Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS)], quality of life [Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74)], compliance rates, satisfaction scores and complication incidence.

Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in wound healing time, pain scores and complication rates (P > 0.05). Both groups exhibited reduced FoP-Q-SF and BPOMS scores after care compared with baseline, with significantly lower scores in the combination group than in the ORTCC group (P < 0.05). All GQOLI-74 domain scores increased after care in both groups, but they were significantly higher in the combination group (P < 0.05). The combination group demonstrated superior nursing compliance rates and satisfaction scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Surgical patients undergoing VSD and receiving combined music therapy and ORTCC model-based nursing exhibited significantly reduced fear of disease progression, mood improvement, enhanced quality of life and superior compliance and satisfaction, though no additional advantages were observed in physiological wound healing.

Background: Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) frequently experience cancer-related fatigue (CRF), anxiety and depression during chemotherapy, significantly impairing their quality of life. This study evaluates the efficacy of the five-element music therapy combined with mindfulness meditation in alleviating CRF and psychological distress amongst DLBCL patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 78 DLBCL patients who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (June 2022-December 2023). The patients were divided as follows: (1) conventional care group (n = 39) and (2) conventional care + combined five-element music therapy and mindfulness meditation group (combined group, n = 39). The assessed outcomes included the following: Cancer Fatigue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Hamilton Depression (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) scales, treatment compliance and nursing satisfaction scores.

Results: Compared with the conventional care group, the combined group had lower scores in physical fatigue, emotional fatigue and cognitive fatigue (all P < 0.001); lower scores in HAMD, HAMA and PSQI (all P < 0.001); longer sleep duration (P < 0.001); better compliance (P = 0.023); higher satisfaction (P = 0.042) and a higher score in EORTC QLQ-C30 (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The combination of the five-element music therapy with mindfulness meditation reduces CRF, anxiety and depression amongst DLBCL chemotherapy patients whilst enhancing treatment compliance, sleep quality and overall quality of life. This combined non-pharmacological approach demonstrates promise as an adjunctive therapy in oncology care.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of noise control care on emotional state and sleep quality in patients with ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD).

Methods: This retrospective study analysed 147 patients with VIDD between January 2023 and December 2023. Patients were grouped based on their admission period as follows: the standard care group (n = 63) comprised patients who received standard care in conventional wards between January 2023 and June 2023, whereas the noise control group (n = 84) included patients treated between July 2023 and December 2023 who additionally received noise reduction measures. Outcome measurements included Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores at baseline and Day 7. Other indicators included environmental sound levels (LAeq, LAmin and LAmax); Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) scores; haemodynamic measurements; duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and incidence of delirium and hospital length of stay.

Results: Both groups showed comparable baseline characteristics. The noise control group experienced significantly lower noise levels at daytime and nighttime than the standard care group (P < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated improved HAMA and HAMD scores by Day 7, but the noise control group showed significantly greater reductions than the standard care group (P < 0.001). RCSQ scores were significantly higher in the noise control group across all five domains and total score (P < 0.001). The noise control group exhibited improved haemodynamic stability with significantly reduced heart rate and blood pressure on Day 7 (P < 0.001). A significantly lowered incidence of delirium was observed in the noise control group (10.71% vs. 25.40%, P < 0.05), accompanied with a shortened duration of MV (P < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Noise control was associated with reduced anxiety and depression, improved sleep quality and superior clinical outcomes in patients with VIDD.

Objective: The study aims to investigate the risk factors for comorbid anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and its association with noise exposure, to improve anxiety symptoms through noise reduction management, and to maintain optimal psychological well-being.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 138 CHD patients hospitalized between June 2023 and December 2024. Participants were stratified into an anxiety group (n = 78) and a nonanxiety group (n = 60) based on the presence of clinically significant anxiety during hospitalization. Between-group comparisons were performed on noise levels (dB), baseline characteristics, sleep quality [assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], and disease-related parameters. The correlation between noise exposure and anxiety in CHD patients was quantified, and determinants of anxiety were identified. Noise reduction management was implemented, and a comparison of the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores before and after noise reduction was performed.

Results: The nonanxiety group showed significantly lower SAS scores (47.25 ± 2.47) than the anxiety group (55.64 ± 3.85; t = 14.706, P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive association between noise exposure and anxiety (r = 0.522, P < 0.05). Compared with the nonanxiety group, the anxiety group had higher rates of multivessel disease (≥3 vessels), prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) history, PSQI scores, and noise levels (all P < 0.05). According to the univariate logistic regression analysis, the anxiety determinants included poor sleep quality, multivessel disease, elevated noise exposure, and prior PCI (odds ratios = 7.352, 2.240, 1.329, 2.266; all P < 0.05). Postmanagement data showed reduced noise levels and SAS scores compared with the baseline (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Patients with CHD are prone to anxiety, with hospital noise being a potential risk factor. Risk factors include poor sleep quality, multiple diseased vessels, high noise levels, and prior PCI history. Clinical attention should be paid to patients' emotional states, and noise reduction management can effectively alleviate anxiety.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate sound exposure levels in drummers and analyses changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), and the contralateral suppression (CS) of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) before and after a controlled rehearsal session.

Method: This study had a pre-experimental design and included volunteer drummers. The subjects responded to surveys to explore general hearing health and musical practice habits. Hearing tests were performed under controlled conditions: DPOAEs and TEOAEs were used to determine the activity of the outer hair cells (OHCs), and the CS of DPOAEs and TEOAEs were applied as indicators of the functioning of the medial olivocochlear efferent system. The drummers subsequently performed freely for 20 min, and their noise exposure was measured. Immediately after completing the rehearsal, the volunteers repeated the tests. Descriptive analysis and comparisons of the tests were used to examine the differences in the response of DPOAEs and TEOAEs.

Results: Eighteen drummers were exposed to noise levels above 103 dBA, with over 60% not using hearing protection. Statistically significant changes (P < 0.05) in DPOAE amplitudes were found at 4000, 6000, and 10,000 Hz for the right ear and at 1000 and 6000 Hz for the left ear. For TEOAEs, significant differences (P < 0.05) occurred at 2000 (right ear) and 2800 Hz (left ear). Asymmetries in cochlear function and CS were also observed, suggesting functional differences between ears that were possibly linked to chronic noise exposure.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the cochlear susceptibility to high frequencies and emphasize the importance of preventive strategies in this musician population.

Background: Environmental noise exposure is a potential trigger, potentially exacerbating migraine through stress-related activation of phosphorylated protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε)-mediated nociceptive pathways. Warmth acupuncture therapy offers a potential complementary treatment. This study investigates the effect of nocturnal noise on PKCε markers and the efficacy of warmth acupuncture in patients with migraine.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 220 patients with migraine was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups based on nocturnal noise exposure: low noise [≤45 dB(A), n = 110] and high noise [>45 dB(A), n = 110]. Both groups received warmth acupuncture. Pain, sleep, anxiety, and biochemical markers (p-PKCε, phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) were evaluated before and after 1 month of therapy. Continuous variables were compared using independent t-tests, and categorical variables were compared using chi-square tests. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between noise levels and PKCε pathway markers.

Results: After 1 month, the low-noise group was associated with significantly more favorable distribution of migraine symptom severity, lower visual analog scale pain scores, better sleep quality, lower anxiety levels, and lower PKCε pathway marker expression than the high-noise group (P < 0.05 for all). Correlation analysis revealed that higher noise levels were significantly associated with increased PKCε pathway markers.

Conclusion: Lower nocturnal noise levels were associated with greater treatment response to warmth acupuncture and reduced PKCε pathway activation, suggesting that environmental noise may play an important role in migraine pathophysiology.

Objectives: The effectiveness of dynamic noise monitoring combined with staged nursing care on nocturnal motor symptoms was evaluated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: This retrospective clinical study enrolled 200 patients with PD, who were hospitalised from March 2021 to December 2024. The patients were divided into the following two groups based on the nursing methods they received: dynamic noise monitoring group (n = 102), which underwent dynamic noise monitoring and received staged nursing care, or the staged nursing care group (n = 98), which received staged nursing care alone. The primary outcomes comprised the nighttime scores of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) and the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2). The assessed secondary outcomes included heart rate (HR), blood pressure, salivary cortisol levels, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18). We used independent samples t-tests for intergroup comparisons, paired t-tests for intragroup comparisons and χ2 tests for categorical variables.

Results: The dynamic noise monitoring group exhibited markedly lower noise levels and reduced noise exposure events exceeding 50 and 60 dBA in comparison to the staged nursing care group (P < 0.001). Compared with the staged nursing care group, the dynamic noise monitoring group exhibited markedly reduced UPDRS-III nighttime scores and PDSS-2 ratings (P < 0.001). Moreover, notable enhancements were noted in HR, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels. The PDQ-39 Summary Index scores and PSQ-18 total satisfaction scores demonstrated significant enhancements in the dynamic noise monitoring group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Dynamic noise monitoring, when integrated into staged nursing care, considerably enhances nocturnal motor symptoms, sleep quality and overall well-being in patients with PD.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aircraft noise on pilots' auditory perception and develop evidence-based control strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2021 and May 2024. Participants were divided into two main groups: a pilot group (n = 92) and a control group of 67 healthy individuals without occupational noise exposure. For subgroup analyses, the pilot group was further categorised into three subgroups according to aircraft type: helicopter (n = 28), fighter (n = 30) and passenger aircraft (n = 34). The Results section presents comparisons across four groups in total (control + three pilot subgroups). Hearing test data were used to evaluate the effects of aircraft noise on auditory perception and propose effective prevention and control strategies.

Results: The control group included more females than the pilot group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in baseline data was observed among the three groups (P > 0.05). Significant differences were detected in the pure tone audiometry results of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 kHz among the four groups (P < 0.001). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the 2-6 kHz band was significantly lower in fighter jet crews compared with controls (median difference range: 2.0-9.0 dB), with the largest difference at 6 kHz (Δ9.0 dB, χ2 = 91.37, P < 0.001). Helicopter crews also observed SNR reductions of approximately 5.5 dB at 4 and 6 kHz (P < 0.001). Only a slight decrease in the 2 kHz threshold was observed for the passenger aircraft crew (Δ0.5 dB, P = 0.002). We found no significant difference between the groups at 1 kHz (P = 0.794). Significant differences were noted in the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale scores of the four groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Aircraft noise threatens pilots' auditory health and flight safety, requiring integrated technical, protective and managerial control measures.