Subjective estimates of physiological responses and perceptual-motor performance in the heat

Ramsey, Jerry D.; Beshir, Mohamed

doi:10.1016/0003-6870(80)90228-8

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…However, although participants reported a drop in performance after donning PPE, they did not notice the further decrement following exercise. This lack of awareness has been observed previously during heat stress and has patient safety implications [ 24 ]. Medical PPE and heat stress have a negative effect on mood and the reduction in alertness and contentment concur with these previous findings [ 7 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Heat stress associated with aerosol PPE and its impact

Chaudhari

Strutton

Wickham

et al. 2022

Occupational Medicine

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Background Aerosol personal protective equipment (PPE) is subjectively reported to negatively impact healthcare workers’ performance and well-being, but this has not been assessed objectively. Aims This randomized controlled crossover study aimed to quantify the heat stress associated with aerosol PPE and to investigate its impact upon mood, cognitive and motor function, and task performance. Methods Sixteen healthy, young, lean participants (eight males) undertook an exercise protocol, which simulated the metabolic expenditure of hospital work: once wearing aerosol PPE (PPE visit) and once wearing standard surgical attire (control visit). Participants walked on a treadmill for 2 h followed by 30-min rest. Core temperature, heart rate, urine specific gravity, weight, grip strength, mood (Bond–Lader scale) and task performance (Intubation of a Manikin) were recorded. Values are between-visit mean (standard deviation) differences. Results On the PPE visit core temperature (+0.2 (0.3)°C; P < 0.01), heart rate (+12 (13) bpm; P < 0.001), urine specific gravity (+0.003 (0.005); P < 0.05) and intubation task time (+50 (81) s; P < 0.01) were greater than on the control visit; and alertness (−14 (21) mm; P < 0.001), contentment (−14 (15) mm; P < 0.001) and grip strength (−4 (4) N; P < 0.01) were less. Conclusions This study demonstrates that wearing aerosol PPE in a simulated hospital environment results in heat exhaustion and has a negative impact upon mood, motor function, and task performance. Whilst wearing PPE is important to prevent disease transmission, strategies should be developed to limit its impact upon healthcare workers’ performance and well-being.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%