Prolonged facemask use in the heat worsens dyspnea without compromising motor-cognitive performance Prolonged facemask use in the heat worsens dyspnea without compromising motor-cognitive performance (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Individual respiratory protective devices and face masks represent critical tools in protecting health care workers in hospitals and clinics, and play a central role in decreasing the spread of the high-risk pandemic infection of 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The aim of the present study was to compare the facial skin temperature and the heat flow when wearing medical surgical masks to the same factors when wearing N95 respirators. A total of 20 subjects were recruited and during the evaluation, each subject was invited to wear a surgical mask or respirator for 1 h. The next day in the morning at the same hour, the same subject wore a N95 mask for 1 h with the same protocol. Infrared thermal evaluation was performed to measure the facial temperature of the perioral region and the perception ratings related to the humidity, heat, breathing difficulty, and discomfort were recorded. A significant difference in heat flow and perioral region temperature was recorded between the s...
Eskisehir Medical Journal, Eskisehir City Hospital, 2022
Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets, and all healthcare professionals (HCPs) have been required to use protective face masks during long working hours. However, the tolerability of different types of face masks varies and can lead to physical or psychological burden for wearer. This study aimed to determine the tolerability and symptoms of commonly used face masks among HCPs. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the COVID-19 areas of three academic emergency departments (EDs). HCPs, including physicians, nurses, and other personnel were included. The comfort and tolerability of surgical masks, filtering face piece-2 (FFP2), and FFP3 respirators and the symptoms experienced during the four-hour study period were evaluated hourly. The primary outcomes were the severity and duration of discomfort or symptoms experienced according to the type of mask used. Results: A total of 181 volunteer HCPs were included in the study. Dyspnea was the most common symptom. According to a seven-point Likert scale that measured the wearer's experience of symptoms, the severity of the first discomfort/symptom was two points on average, and the main discomfort/symptom that led to masking removal was four points. The median time for the appearance of discomfort/symptoms was 70 minutes for the single-layer surgical masks and 50 minutes for the FFP2 and FFP3 masks. Conclusion: Dyspnea and headache were the most common causes of intolerance to masks used by HCPs. Although statistical significance was not achieved, the duration of mask use was lower in those who used FFP2 and FFP3 masks.
Narra J, 2024
Respiratory droplets, naturally produced during expiration, can transmit pathogens from infected individuals. Wearing a face mask is crucial to prevent such transmission, yet the perception of dyspnea and uncomfortable breathing remains a common concern, particularly during epidemics. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of face mask use on the perception of dyspnea, cardiopulmonary parameters, and facial temperature during physical activity. A randomized crossover study was conducted on healthy adults at a physiology laboratory located in the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia, in November 2022. Participants underwent five stages of physical exercise tests based on the Bruce Protocol under three conditions: without any face mask (control), wearing a surgical mask, and an N95 mask, forming the study's main groups. Dyspnea perception (measured by the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale), cardiopulmonary parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure) and facial temperature were measured before the exercise test (pre-workout), at the end of stage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and after the whole exercise test (post-workout). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted, considering two factors: the type of mask (control, surgical mask, N95 mask) and the various stages of the exercise test. A total of 36 healthy adults were included in the study. We found that dyspnea perception was much worse in the N95 mask group, particularly during vigorous exercise. There was no significant difference between groups in cardiopulmonary parameters. However, participants wearing N95 had a greater supralabial temperature than those wearing surgical masks or no mask at all. It is recommended to undertake a more in-depth evaluation of cardiopulmonary physiological measures.
Effects of Wearing Facemasks During Brisk Walks: A COVID-19 Dilemma
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 2021
Background: During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, wearing facemasks became obligatory worldwide. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of facemasks on gas exchange. Methods: Healthy adults were assessed at rest and during slow and brisk 5-minute walks, with and without masks. We monitored O 2 saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO 2), and heart and respiratory rates. Participants graded their subjective difficulty and completed individual sensations questionnaires. Results: Twenty-one participants with a median age of 38 years (range, 29-57 years) were recruited. At rest, all vital signs remained normal, without and with masks. However, during slow and brisk walks, EtCO 2 increased; the rise was significantly higher while wearing masks: slow walk, mean EtCO 2 (mmHg) change 14.5 6 2.4 versus 12.9 6 2.3, P = .004; brisk walk EtCO 2 change 18.4 6 3.0 versus 16.2 6 4.0, P = .009, with and without masks, respectively. Wearing masks was also associated with higher proportions of participant hypercarbia (EtCO 2 range, 46-49 mmHg) compared with walking without masks, though this was only partially significant. Mean O 2-saturation remained stable (98%) while walking without masks but decreased by 1.2 % 6 2.2 while walking briskly with a mask (P = .01). Mild desaturation (O 2 range, 93% to 96%) was noted during brisk walks among 43% of participants with masks, compared with only 14% without masks (P = .08). Borg's scale significantly increased while walking with a mask, for both slow and brisk walks (P < .001). Sensations of difficulty breathing and shortness of breath were more common while walking with masks. Conclusion: While important to prevent viral spread, wearing facemasks during brisk 5-minute walks might be associated with mild hypercarbia and desaturation. The clinical significance of these minor gas exchange abnormalities is unclear and should be further investigated.
Influence of face masks on the subjective impairment at different physical workloads
Scientific Reports
To quantify the subjective and cognitive impairment caused by wearing face masks at work, 20 men and 20 women (median age 47 years, range 19–65) were tested under different ergometer workloads while wearing surgical mask, community mask, FFP2 respirator or no mask in a randomized and partially double-blinded design. Masks were worn also at the workplace for four hours. Subjective impairment was recorded by questionnaires. Cognitive performance was tested before and after the workplace examination. Subjective feeling of heat, humidity, and difficult breathing increased with rising physical exertion and wearing time for all three mask types, most notably for FFP2. Even when blinded, participants with FFP2 reported difficult breathing already at rest. During physical exertion, individuals with low tolerance to discomfort reported significantly stronger impairment (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02–1.27). Regarding light work, older subjects (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98) and women (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.7...
Effect of Prolonged Use of Facemask on Ambulance Driver During Covid 19: A Questionnaires Study
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 2021
Background: The nose is a complex organ that shapes and has many roles as an integral part of the face. The nose's primary purpose is to humidify, warm the inspired air, and also helps to remove the destructive particles from entering the lower respiratory tract. In general, an average adult inspires about 10,000 L of air each day. Nasal mucosa is a highly vascular structure and has a large surface area of 150 cm square. Physiologically, the nose has 50% resistance in the entire airway, which when affected plays a significant role in total respiratory function. that prolonged use of facemasks induces difficulty in breathing on exertion and excessive sweating around the mouth to the Ambulance driver which results in poorer adherence and increased risk of susceptibility to infection Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of prolonged usage of N95 respirators and surgical facemasks on Ambulance driver Material and Methods: A self constructed questionnaire containing 10 questions regarding the prolonged use of N95 respirators and surgical mask on Ambulance driver between the age group of 35-50 years were handed to them Results: This study suggests that prolonged use of facemasks induces difficulty in breathing on exertion and excessive sweating around the mouth to the Ambulance driver which results in poorer adherence and increased risk of susceptibility to infection.
Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 2020
A mask is a simple device yet it provides high levels of protection. As the virus affects mainly the respiratory tract – the nose, mouth, and lungs - it is highly contagious when people sneeze or cough, or exchange respiratory droplets with other people. This exchange is also promoted when a person is performing physical exercise. Although a mask provides some protection, it does not eliminate the need for social distancing. Around 25% of people infected with the new coronavirus may show no symptoms, yet still transmit the virus. One of the main problems with wearing a mask is that it hinders breathing, with the mask gradually becoming damp, increasing its resistance to air intake. Wearing a mask while performing physical activity requires a period of adaptation, as the flow of air to the lungs is reduced, requiring a reduction in the normal rhythm until the wearer has managed to adapt to it. Vigorous and intense exercise can cause inflammatory activity to increase, and should be mi...
2021
While protecting against the coronavirus transmission, face-masks may have adverse effects on respiratory-haemodynamic parameters. We investigated immediate and progressive effects of FFP2 and surgical masks on exhaled breath constituents and physiological attributes in 30 healthy volunteers at rest. We continuously monitored exhaled breath profiles in the mask space in elderly (age: 60–80 years) and adults (age: 20–60 years) over a period of 30 min by high-resolution real-time mass-spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). Peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory- and haemodynamic parameters were measured (non-invasively) continuously in parallel. Profound and consistent decrease in SpO2 and increase in pET-CO2 indicates ascending deoxygenation and inadequate ventilation in subjects. Cardiac output and MAP changed as secondary. Exhalation of blood-borne volatile metabolites mirrored behaviour of cardiac output, MAP, SpO2, respiratory rate and pET-CO2. FFP2 masks affected more pronouncedly than s...
International Journal of Advanced Research, 2021
Background- The coronavirus disease, which originated in the city of Wuhan, China, has quickly spread to various countries, with many cases having been reported worldwide. As of May 8th, 2020, in India, 56,342 positive cases have been reported. Masks can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to others. HCWs need to wear the mask for prolonged period of time as they come in contact with various people and so there are many adverse effects of the mask on the body such as breathlessness etc. Masks include mainly 3 types: N-95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks. Methods-The study was conducted at vikhe patil medical hospital and college of Physiotherapy, Ahmednagar.Pre and Post experiences of breathlessness and perception were compared. Result- We have analyzed that N-95 Respirators cause maximum Breathlessness compared to Surgical and cloth masks. In case of feeling stress, N-95 Respirators were the major reason, followed by Surgical Masks.Surgical...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The present study aimed to verify the effect of a warm-up protocol with and without facemask-use on cognitive function. The sample was composed of 17 healthy, non-smoking physical education students (age = 17.6 years, height = 1.71 m, and body mass = 69.7 kg). They were randomized to perform 15 min of warm-up exercises, while wearing a cloth facemask (EXP) or no mask (CON) on two separate occasions, with at least 48-h separating conditions. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and d2 Attention assessment were used to verify cognitive function, using a repeated measures general linear model. The warm-up improved cognitive abilities and the results demonstrated significant differences between the EXP vs. CON groups in post-concentration performance (186.06 ± 15.47 EXP-score vs. 178.12 ± 13.66 CON-score), post the total number of errors (23.47 ± 14.50 EXP-frequency < 29.06 ± 13.74 CON-frequency), and in the post RPE (6.0 ± 1.37 EXP-index > 4.7 ± 0.85 CON-index). Wearing a cloth facem...