Noise & Health最新文献

Objective: The effects of noise reduction protocol-based integrated nursing care on perceived comfort level and stress responses were analyzed in patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 110 surgical patients with gastrointestinal tumors treated at our institution between January 2023 and January 2024. The patients were assigned according to postoperative nursing care received: 56 patients received conventional care (conventional care group), and 54 patients received noise reduction protocol-based integrated nursing care (integrated noise reduction group). Both groups were monitored until discharge. Outcome measures included postoperative recovery parameters, comfort level [Kolcaba General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], psychological stress [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D) and -Anxiety (HADS-A) subscales], quality of life [Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74)], and environmental noise levels.

Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in time to first ambulation, length of hospital stay, or Visual Analog Scale pain scores on postoperative day 7 (P > 0.05). The integrated noise reduction group showed significantly greater improvements in GCQ and all domains of the GQOLI-74 than the conventional care group (P < 0.05). Significantly greater reductions in preoperative PSQI, HADS-D, and HADS-A scores; equivalent continuous sound levels; and maximum sound levels were observed in the integrated noise reduction group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Noise reduction protocol-based integrated nursing care effectively reduces environmental noise exposure in patients with gastrointestinal tumors and is associated with decreased psychological stress, improved sleep quality, and enhanced perceived comfort and quality of life.

Objectives: This review investigated the effects of external and classroom noise on school-aged children's cognitive performance. The analysis identified exposure patterns across studies; quantified effects on attention, memory, and reading processes; and developed a conceptual model connecting acoustic input, processing effort, and academic performance.

Methods: A structured search was conducted to identify observational and experimental studies on noise exposure and cognitive outcomes in school environments. Eligible studies quantified noise using the equivalent continuous sound level, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and reverberation time (RT) and included outcomes in attention, memory, and reading tasks. Data were mapped across environmental noise and classroom acoustic conditions.

Results: Classroom exposure levels commonly ranged between 65 and 77 dB(A), and external exposure from aircraft and road-traffic sources often exceeded 60 dB(A) during teaching periods. Lower SNRs and longer RTs reduced speech clarity and increased the processing effort needed to follow spoken information across the study design. Performance decreased in tasks involving attention, verbal memory, and reading accuracy. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, bilingual learners, and pupils with weaker attention control exhibited larger performance reductions under identical acoustic conditions. Integrating these results produced a conceptual model in which external noise at school entry and classroom noise during instruction form a continuous exposure sequence that increases processing effort and reduces the learning capacity.

Conclusions: Noise affects children by increasing processing load and reducing the cognitive resources available for learning. The model outlines this mechanism. The findings indicate acoustic improvements in classrooms and systematic noise monitoring in school environments.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect of Tomatis music therapy in improving perimenopausal insomnia.

Methods: This study included perimenopausal women visiting a tertiary obstetrics and gynaecology hospital from January 2024 to December 2024, screening for those with a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score >7 and a Spiegel Sleep Inventory (SPIEGEL) clinical self-rating score over 12 points. The 120 eligible patients were divided into three groups on the basis of previous treatment: routine nursing (control group 1, n = 41), standard music therapy (control group 2, n = 42) and Tomatis music therapy (Tomatis group, n = 37). Outcomes, such as PSQI, SPIEGEL, modified Kupperman scale, Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and safety, were compared across groups.

Results: Following the treatment method, a significant reduction in PSQI scores was found in all groups compared with baseline, with the greatest improvement observed in the Tomatis group (P < 0.001). Similarly, the SPIEGEL scores declined significantly in the control and Tomatis groups, though the latter demonstrated superior outcomes (P < 0.001). The modified Kupperman scale scores decreased markedly across all groups, with the most pronounced reduction observed in the Tomatis group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the post-treatment MRS scores were significantly lower than the pre-treatment values in all groups, with the Tomatis group achieving the lowest scores (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Tomatis sound therapy is associated with improved sleep quality in perimenopausal women with insomnia, relief from menopausal symptoms and enhanced overall well-being.

Objective: To analyse the effects of noise exposure in emergency resuscitation rooms (ERRs) on cognitive function and hyperalgesia in patients with trauma.

Methods: Clinical data from 110 patients with trauma who were treated in the ERR of Suizhou Central Hospital between June 2022 and July 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Participants were divided into the following two groups on the basis of real-time noise monitoring: the high-noise-exposure (n = 85) and low-noise-exposure (n = 25) groups. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), homocysteine (Hcy), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to measure cognitive performance. Mechanical pain threshold and serum nerve growth factor (NGF), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were applied to assess hyperalgesia. Pearson correlation was employed to investigate the connections between noise levels and outcome factors.

Results: The high-noise-exposure group demonstrated significantly lower MMSE scores, MoCA scores and serum BDNF levels but higher serum NSE and Hcy levels compared with the low-noise-exposure group (P < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the low-noise-exposure group, the high-noise-exposure group exhibited larger mechanical hyperalgesia areas around incisions and on the volar forearm, as well as elevated serum CGRP, NGF and SP levels, while showing reduced mechanical pain thresholds and lower serum 5-HT levels (P < 0.05). Pearson analysis revealed that noise exposure values had negative correlations with mechanical pain threshold, MMSE and MoCA scores and serum BDNF and 5-HT levels (r < 0, P < 0.05) but positive correlations with mechanical hyperalgesia area and serum CGRP, NSE, Hcy, NGF and SP levels (r > 0, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: High noise exposure in ERRs may be associated with cognitive dysfunction and hyperalgesia in patients with trauma. Clinical management should recognise and control noise levels in these settings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.