Noise & Health最新文献

This review aimed to systematically synthesize the current literature on the physiological and psychological effects of white noise on sleep quality, stress levels, and pain perception in both mothers and newborns. The primary objective was to critically examine existing evidence on the use of white noise in maternal and neonatal care interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, using keywords such as "white noise," "sleep," "stress," and "pain." After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts according to the selection criteria, 12 articles were selected for critical review. Findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) consistently indicate that white noise can shorten sleep latency, improve sleep onset, and reduce pain perception in both mothers and newborns. Additional randomized studies demonstrated benefits for physiological indicators, such as heart rate variability and oxygen saturation, particularly in neonatal intensive care settings. In contrast, evidence from reviews and expert opinions highlights potential risks associated with prolonged or high-intensity white noise exposure, including possible hearing impairment, negative impacts on cognitive functions, and neurodevelopmental delays. These differences highlight the importance of interpreting findings in light of the study design and methodological rigor. White noise presents itself as a practical, low-cost, non-invasive, and easily implementable method for improving maternal and neonatal care outcomes, particularly in sleep, stress, and pain management, provided it is applied within safe sound levels. Nevertheless, its effectiveness may vary across individuals and contexts. Future directions should focus on large-sample, long-term RCTs to establish definitive evidence and to differentiate between short-term benefits and potential long-term harms. The development of standardized protocols with evidence-based safety thresholds will be crucial in maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks.

Aim: This study investigated the association between nighttime noise control and melatonin secretion alongside bone repair-related factors in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at LiuZhou Municipal Liutie Central Hospital between January 2022 and December 2023. Patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were divided into the following two groups: standard care group (n = 65) and noise control group (n = 72). The noise control group received enhanced acoustic management in specially designed quiet zones, whereas the standard care group was treated in regular hospital wards. Melatonin levels, osteoprotegerin (OPG), cortisol concentrations, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), RANKL/OPG ratio, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) for sleep quality were measured at baseline and Day 7 of hospitalisation.

Results: The noise control group demonstrated significantly elevated melatonin levels compared with the standard care group (P < 0.001). SQS scores were significantly higher in the noise control group than in the standard care group (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced in the noise control group (P < 0.001). Bone metabolism regulation markers showed favourable changes in the noise control group, with significantly decreased RANKL/OPG ratio (P < 0.001), elevated OPG levels (P = 0.005) and reduced soluble RANKL concentrations (P < 0.001). VAS scores demonstrated a significant reduction in the noise control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Acoustic environmental modifications were associated with altered melatonin secretion patterns and changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest potential associations between noise control measures and physiological parameters in orthopaedic patient populations.

Objective: To investigate the effects of music therapy combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction on psychological state, pain and sleep in patients with uterine adenomyosis after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 146 adenomyosis patients admitted from January 2024 to December 2024. In accordance with nursing methods, patients were assigned to the mindfulness group (n = 68), which received mindfulness-based stress reduction care, or the combined group (n = 78), which received music therapy plus mindfulness-based stress reduction. Clinical data, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores and EuroQol Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) scores were compared.

Results: On postoperative Day 3, the VAS scores were significantly lower in the combined group (P < 0.05), and 14 days after care, the SDS, SAS and PSQI scores were all lower than those of the mindfulness group. EQ-5D analysis revealed significant improvements in self-care and anxiety/depression in the combined group (P < 0.05). Utility values were 0.437 ± 0.153 in the mindfulness group and 0.602 ± 0.161 in the combined group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Music therapy with mindfulness-based stress reduction improves anxiety management, self-care, quality of life and recovery in postoperative HIFU patients with adenomyosis and alleviates pain.

Objective: This study aimed to identify factors influencing sleep quality and examine the correlation between sleep quality and ward noise exposure levels in postoperative urological patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by analysing clinical data from 182 patients who underwent urological surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2021 and December 2024. The participants were stratified into two groups according to their average postoperative Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) scores: poor sleep quality group (PSQ, AIS > 6) and good sleep quality group (GSQ, AIS ≤ 6). Comparative analysis of clinical variables was performed, with multivariate logistic regression employed to identify the risk factors for poor sleep quality. Correlation between sleep quality and ward noise exposure levels was assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis.

Results: Among the 182 postoperative urological patients, 82 and 100 were categorised into the PSQ and GSQ groups, respectively. The overall mean ward noise exposure level was 61.55 ± 7.75 dB, and the mean AIS score was 6.74 ± 1.65. The PSQ group showed significantly higher AIS scores, noise exposure levels, age, rates of not placed intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) catheters, postoperative length of stay (PLOS) and anxiety/depression scores than the GSQ group (all P < 0.05). No other baseline characteristics differed significantly. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed age, IV-PCA retention, PLOS, anxiety/depression score and noise exposure as significant predictors of sleep quality, with noise exposure being the strongest independent predictor (OR > 1, P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation existed between AIS score and noise levels (r > 0, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Postoperative sleep quality in patients who underwent urological surgery requires improvement and is significantly correlated with ward noise exposure.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluates the effects of ward noise levels on sleep quality and emotional state in older patients with proximal humerus fractures.

Methods: A total of 156 older patients (aged ≥65 years) admitted with proximal humerus fractures between January 2022 and December 2024 were enrolled and stratified into two groups based on average ward noise exposure: a high noise exposure (HNE) group (n = 78, average noise >55 dB) and low noise exposure (LNE) group (n = 78, average noise ≤55 dB). Primary outcomes were sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], emotional state [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and physiological stress (salivary cortisol levels). Additional assessments included pain intensity [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], functional outcomes [Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH)], and length of hospital stay. Data were collected at baseline and discharge.

Results: At discharge, the HNE group exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores (9.24 ± 2.15 vs. 6.87 ± 1.93, P < 0.001) and HADS scores for anxiety (8.42 ± 2.38 vs. 5.96 ± 2.12, P < 0.001) and depression (7.85 ± 2.26 vs. 5.43 ± 1.89, P < 0.001) compared with the LNE group. Salivary cortisol levels were elevated in the HNE group (0.67 ± 0.14 vs. 0.45 ± 0.11 µg/dL, P < 0.001). The HNE group had higher VAS pain scores (6.78 ± 1.45 vs. 4.92 ± 1.32, P < 0.001), worse functional outcomes (DASH: 58.92 ± 12.34 vs. 48.76 ± 11.28, P < 0.001), and longer hospital stays (8.45 ± 2.67 vs. 6.83 ± 2.14 days, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Elevated noise levels in hospital wards correlate with impaired sleep quality, worsened emotional state, heightened physiological stress, and prolonged recovery in older patients with proximal humerus fractures, highlighting the importance of noise-reduction interventions in orthopedic wards.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of different noise conditions on the cochlea in rats. The study focuses on understanding noise-induced hearing loss through objective audiological tests and histological evaluations.

Methods: Rats were exposed to noise under various conditions based on stimulus type, intensity, and duration. Auditory brainstem response tests were conducted before exposure and on Days 1, 7, and 21 after exposure to assess hearing function. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to study cochlear damage.

Results: The study found that noise intensity and duration were the most significant factors in causing hearing loss. Repetitive noise exposure and increased bandwidth also contributed to hearing loss, but their impact was less severe compared to high-intensity or prolonged exposure. In addition, five different noise conditions were characterized as distinct experimental models with varying degrees of cochlear damage.

Conclusion: The results indicate that while intensity and duration are the primary factors leading to hearing loss, repetitive exposure and increased bandwidth also pose a risk, though to a lesser extent. These findings not only highlight the translational relevance of the 8 kHz loss in rats but also provide a framework for selecting experimental models in future studies on synaptopathy, therapeutic interventions, and central auditory processing.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of noise control methods and music therapy on anxiety levels, vital signs, and postoperative pain in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.

Methods: This experimental, single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted between March 2022 and June 2023. Sample size was determined through power analysis, and 100 volunteer patients undergoing TKR were randomly divided into four groups. Patients in the control group received no treatment, whereas those in the active noise control (ANC) and passive noise control (PNC) groups were provided noise control devices during surgery, and those in the music group listened to their chosen music. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to determine the differences in anxiety and pain among groups before and after surgery, and a data collection form was employed to determine differences in vital signs.

Findings: At 24 h, VAS scores in all intervention groups were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). STAI-I scores also differed significantly (P = 0.014), with better reductions in the PNC and music groups than in the control group. Intraoperative pulse rate, blood pressure, respiration and temperature showed group differences. Postoperatively, differences were also noted in pulse rate and body temperature between groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Noise control methods and music therapy during TKR surgery may help reduce postoperative pain and situational anxiety and may partially stabilize vital signs, particularly pulse rate and body temperature.

Objective: This research explored the potential benefits of five-element music in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and mood disturbances among patients with lung cancer.

Methods: This study included 460 hospitalised patients with lung cancer from July 2023 to February 2024. The participants were divided into two arms as follows: 217 received five-element music therapy and conventional nursing care (combined group), whilst 243 were assigned to conventional nursing care (routine group). Outcomes such as adverse reactions, Piper Fatigue Rating Scale (PFS-R) score and psychological status (Self-rating Anxiety Scale [SAS] and Self-rating Depression Scale [SDS] scores) were assessed before and after the care. The logistic regression model was used to explore the influence of five-element music on the above indicators.

Results: Post-care data revealed declines in PFS-R scale scores for both groups, with the combined group exhibiting superior outcomes in cognition, behaviour, body and emotion (all P < 0.001). Psychological metrics (SAS/SDS) similarly favoured the combined group (all P < 0.001). The combined group demonstrated a significantly higher medication compliance rate than the routine group (92.63% vs. 81.48%, P < 0.001), underscoring the therapeutic advantage of the proposed approach. The results of logistic regression showed that significant associations were found between medication compliance and two key factors: anxiety scores (SAS, odds ratio [OR]: 1.055, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.013-1.100) and depression scores (SDS, OR: 1.246, 95% CI: 1.178-1.318).

Conclusion: The application of five-element music therapy demonstrates potential benefits for patients with lung cancer, including alleviating CRF, mitigating negative emotions and improving medication compliance.

Objectives: Prior research has documented associations between environmental noise and mental health; however, the impact of building vibration noise remains unclear. This study aimed to test a mediation model evaluating whether specific noise types mediate the association between housing type and mental health among adults in Taiwan.

Methods: Cross-sectional data of 776 participants obtained from an online survey conducted from December 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 were analyzed. The participants rated subjective levels of road-traffic noise, railway noise, and building vibration noise. Mental health outcomes included sleep quality, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidality. Mediation analysis with nonparametric bootstrapping (5000 resamples) was used to test mediation.

Results: Residing in an apartment/condominium had a significantly indirect mediating effect on poorer mental health (estimates of the indirect effect: 0.225, P < 0.001 for sleep quality, 0.431, P < 0.001 for anxiety, 0.412, P < 0.001 for depression, and 0.062, P = 0.024 for suicide risk), and this association was mediated by higher levels of building vibration noise. However, road-traffic and railway noise did not show significant mediation effects.

Conclusions: Building vibration noise appears to be a key pathway linking living in an apartment/condominium to adverse mental health outcomes.