Noise & Health最新文献

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of postoperative noise control on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in patients with extensive burns undergoing skin grafting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 148 patients with burns (May 2022-December 2024), including 73 in the regular group (standard care) and 75 in the noise control group (noise-reducing caring method). Outcomes included noise levels, emotional states [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), wound healing, and nursing satisfaction.

Results: Following the caring method, the noise reduction group showed significantly lower HAMD scores (13.25 ± 1.10 vs. 17.73 ± 2.01, P < 0.001) and HAMA scores (12.50 ± 1.60 vs. 16.49 ± 1.32, P < 0.001) compared with the regular group. The PSQI scores were significantly lower in the noise reduction group (4.55 ± 1.02 vs. 7.16 ± 1.24, P < 0.001). The daytime and nighttime ward noise levels in the noise reduction group were 42.15 ± 3.28 and 32.47 ± 2.91 dB, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the regular group (50.62 ± 4.11 and 40.85 ± 3.74 dB, respectively, P < 0.001). Additionally, the noise reduction group had a higher skin graft survival rate (78.25% vs. 72.48%, P = 0.023), shorter graft survival time (26.85 ± 2.12 vs. 30.12 ± 2.56 days, P < 0.001), and higher nursing satisfaction (94.67% vs. 80.82%, P = 0.010).

Conclusion: Postoperative noise control improves psychological status, sleep quality, and wound healing, warranting clinical promotion.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of music relaxation therapy combined with comprehensive, coordinated, continuous, and collaborative (4C) care on the stress response and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 115 patients with CHD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at West China Hospital, Sichuan University between December 2021 and May 2024. Based on different nursing plans, the patients were divided into the conventional group (40 cases, receiving routine care), the 4C group (35 cases, receiving routine care + 4C continuing care), and the music group (40 cases, receiving routine care + 4C continuing care + music relaxation therapy). Medical adherence, nursing satisfaction, psychological stress [Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-Shortened Version (DASS-C21)], perceived stress [Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)], post-traumatic growth [Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)], self-care capacity [Exercise of Self-care Agency Scale (ESCA)], comfort [General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ)], and health status [Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ)] were observed in the three groups.

Results: After the 3-month follow-up period, the music group demonstrated significantly higher scores in medication adherence, nursing satisfaction, PTGI, ESCA, GCQ, and SAQ, and significantly lower scores in DASS-C21 and PSS-10 compared to the conventional and 4C groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The combination of music relaxation therapy and 4C care can effectively alleviate psychological and perceived stress in patients with CHD, enhance self-care capacity and quality of life, accelerate recovery process, improve medical adherence, promote post-traumatic growth, and achieve high patient satisfaction.

Background: About 15 million people are directly and indirectly involved in Ethiopian coffee production. Coffee workers in Ethiopia may be exposed to workplace noise due to industrial machines, but the extent of their exposure and the prevalence of hearing loss are currently unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate noise exposure, identify factory and task-related conditions that significantly increase noise levels and assess self-reported hearing loss amongst coffee workers in Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 primary coffee processing factories in three Ethiopia regions. A total of 60 machine room workers were involved in full-shift, personal noise exposure measurements. The results from an observational checklist and statistical analysis of noise measurement data were used to identify the determinants of personal noise exposure. Additionally, 130 randomly selected workers participated in interviews on self-reported hearing loss, yielding a 100% response rate.

Results: The average daily noise exposure amongst machine room workers was 96.3 decibels A-weighted (dBA). Ninety-two per cent of the measurements exceeded the occupational exposure limits of 85 dBA, and 40% exceeded 90 dBA. The presence of more than one huller machine was associated with a 4.5 dBA increase in noise exposure. Approximately, 53% of the machine room workers reported at least one symptom of hearing loss. Workers with more than 10 years of experience had nearly three times higher risk of hearing loss symptoms than those with less than 5 years of experience, after adjusting for age and other factors (adjusted prevalence ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-5.9).

Conclusions: These findings highlight the significant health risk of noise exposure faced by workers in primary coffee factories, with over half of these workers reporting symptoms of hearing loss, and most of them being exposed to noise levels above the recommended limit value. Implementing interventions to reduce noise levels amongst coffee workers is essential to protect their hearing well-being.

Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the preventive effects of light music on postpartum anxiety and depression in primiparous women.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 120 primiparous women admitted to our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024. Participants were divided into two groups based on the postpartum nursing methods they received: those who received standard care (standard care group: n = 58) and those who received light music therapy (music therapy group: n = 62). Outcomes included Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) scale scores at 3-day and 6-week postpartum.

Results: At 6 weeks postpartum, the music therapy group showed significantly lower scores of EPDS, PASS, and PSQI compared to the standard care group (P < 0.05). Salivary cortisol and sAA levels were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Additionally, the music therapy group exhibited higher EBF rates (79.03% vs. 53.45%, P < 0.05) and significantly improved scores across all domains of WHOQOL-BREF (P < 0.05). Conclusion Light music therapy significantly alleviates postpartum psychological distress, reduces physiological stress, and improves breastfeeding rate and quality of life, which supports its clinical adoption.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of music intervention with multidimensional nursing in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analysed 100 VLBW infants admitted to our hospital between January 2023 and November 2024. The subjects were divided into two groups based on intervention methods as follows: the multidimensional nursing group received multidimensional nursing (n = 43), and the music therapy group received additional music intervention (n = 57). Physiological parameters (heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR], oxygen saturation [SpO2]), sleep architecture, growth velocity, cortisol levels, Newborn Comfort Behavior scale (COMFORTneo), Neonatal Infant Pain scale (NIPS), time to achieve full oral feeding (FOF) and hospitalisation duration were compared between groups.

Results: After the intervention, compared with the multidimensional nursing group, the music therapy group demonstrated greater reductions in HR and RR and higher SpO2 levels (P < 0.05), exhibited longer total sleep duration and fewer awakenings (P < 0.05) and achieved higher weight gain and head circumference expansion rates (P < 0.05). Salivary cortisol decreased in both groups, but significantly lower values were observed in the music therapy group compared with the multidimensional nursing group (P < 0.05). Compared with the multidimensional nursing group, the music therapy group displayed lower COMFORTneo and NIPS scores (P < 0.05), earlier FOF time and shorter hospitalisation duration (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Music therapy combined with multimaintenance nursing considerably improves physiologic stability, growth and feeding tolerance in VLBW infants and increases stress resistance.

Background: Industrial noise exposure can jeopardise safety by disrupting communication and alarms, leading to occupational errors.

Objectives: This study examines the impact of chronic noise exposure on the hearing and cognitive abilities of power loom workers.

Materials and methods: An electroencephalogram (EEG) signal analysis and auditory assessment were performed on 40 power loom workers and 15 control participants. The cognitive performance of power loom personnel was examined in environments with and without noise. Power spectra values from theta, alpha and beta activity were analysed from EEG signals to assess cognitive load, stress and attention levels.

Results: Pure tone audiometry results showed that 68%, 21% and 11% of power loom workers had a serious, moderate and mild hearing impairment, respectively. Additionally, the performance of power loom workers in the Stroop colour and word test cognitive task was evaluated, reflecting a substantial 28% drop in response accuracy between the power loom workers and the control group with a significant P-value (H = 233.91, P < 0.01). In noise-free conditions, a higher alpha (M = 12.45, SD = 2.34) was observed together with a decreased beta (M = 8.67, SD = 1.89) and theta-to-alpha ratio (M = 0.45, SD = 0.12), indicating enhanced attention and reduced mental burden and stress. On the contrary, when faced with noise, workers exhibited decreased alpha power, increased beta power and higher theta-to-alpha ratio, indicating distraction, higher stress and cognitive strain.

Conclusion: Continuous exposure to high noise levels affects the hearing ability and cognitive performance of power loom workers.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the effect of chronic noise exposure on psychological and physiological indicators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the data of 304 patients diagnosed with RA at Changsha Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Changsha Eighth Hospital) from June 2020 to June 2023. Patients were categorised into a low-noise (LN) group [<60 dB(A)] and a high-noise (HN) group [≥60 dB(A)] on the basis of the average noise exposure level, and they underwent propensity score matching (PSM). The collected data included demographic information, A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq, 8 h), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers.

Results: After PSM was conducted, 102 patients per group with balanced demographics were included. The LAeq was 66.28 ± 2.35 dB(A) in the HN group and 51.32 ± 2.08 dB(A) in the LN group, with a significant difference (P < 0.001). The HN group exhibited significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6, P = 0.033), rheumatoid factor (RF, P < 0.001), higher SDS (P = 0.003) and SAS (P = 0.002) scores and more tender joint count (P = 0.014) than the LN group. Correlation analysis showed that DAS28 (r = 0.418), IL-6 (r = 0.143), RF (r = 0.391), SDS (r = 0.210), SAS (r = 0.193), tender joint pain (r = 0.119) and global health (r = 0.146) were positively correlated with noise levels.

Conclusion: HN exposure is associated with increased inflammatory markers, increased psychological distress and worsened health status in patients with RA.

Objective: To assess the mechanism underlying the effects of classical music on postoperative psychological stress and functional recovery in individuals with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect clinical data on 130 patients with LDH who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy at Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2023 to May 2024. The conventional care group included 67 patients who received conventional rehabilitation care, and the music therapy group comprised 63 patients who received conventional rehabilitation care plus a classical music-based relaxation and sleep-aid rehabilitation program. The psychological stress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Self-Perceived Burden Scale [SPBS]), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale [PSQI]), comfort status (Kolcaba General Comfort Questionnaire [GCQ]), functional recovery, and quality of life (the MOS 36-item Short Form Health Survey) before and after intervention were compared between the two groups. Nursing satisfaction of the two groups was compared.

Results: After implementation, the HDS, HAS, SPBS, and PSQI scores of the music therapy group were lower than those of the conventional care group, whereas the GCQ score was higher (P < 0.05). The nursing satisfaction of the music therapy group was higher than that of the conventional care group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The classical music sleep rehabilitation program can effectively alleviate the postoperative psychological stress of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and improve their comfort and satisfaction, but has no significant effect on functional recovery.

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the impact of music therapy on pain levels and comfort in patients undergoing catheterization for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 138 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complicated by urinary retention who underwent catheterization in our hospital from March 2022 to June 2024. Eight cases that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. The 130 remaining cases were divided into a conventional group (n = 70) and a music group (n = 60) according to different intervention plans. The one-time catheterization success rate, catheterization duration, spastic pain duration, pain degree [visual analog scale (VAS)], comfort level [Kolcaba's General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ)], physiological stress, negative emotions (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and complications were observed in both groups.

Result: The music group had a higher one-time catheterization success rate and shorter duration of spastic pain than the conventional group (P < 0.05). At 5 minutes after catheterization was completed, the music group had a lower VAS score and the GCQ score was higher (P > 0.05). During catheterization and 5 minutes after catheterization, the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were lower in the music group (P > 0.05). Five minutes after completion, the Hospital Depression Scale and Hospital Anxiety Scale scores of the music group were lower (P > 0.05). The incidence of complications was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Music therapy can decrease the pain level of patients undergoing catheterization for benign prostatic hyperplasia, alleviate physiological stress, and reduce the generation of negative emotions.

Background: Hospital noise pollution represents a major environmental stressor for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), potentially affecting cardiovascular parameters and recovery outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effect of noise exposure on heart rate variability (HRV) and stress responses in CAD patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2022 and December 2023 with 200 CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. In accordance with a temporal sequential design, 97 patients were treated in standard wards (January-August 2022), whereas 103 patients were treated in noise-controlled wards (November 2022-December 2023) after noise reduction protocols were implemented. Noise parameters, HRV indices [standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the averages of normal-to-normal intervals (SDANN) and low frequency/high frequency ratio (LF/HF)], salivary cortisol level, sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] and clinical outcomes were measured at preoperation and on postoperative day 5.

Results: Noise levels were significantly lower in noise-controlled wards than in standard wards during daytime and nighttime hours (P < 0.001). After 5 days of hospitalisation, patients in noise-controlled wards exhibited significantly improved HRV parameters, including higher SDNN and SDANN, lower LF/HF ratios, lower salivary cortisol levels and better PSQI scores (P < 0.05), than those in standard wards. Additionally, patients in noise-controlled wards experienced shorter hospital stays and a lower incidence of recurrent angina (P < 0.05) than those in standard wards.

Conclusions: Noise reduction in hospital wards significantly improved HRV parameters and reduced stress markers in CAD patients. The implementation of noise control measures may represent a cost-effective strategy to improve outcomes for CAD patients during hospitalisation.