scholarly journals Frontal Electroencephalogram Alpha Asymmetry during Mental Stress Related to Workplace Noise

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1968
Author(s):  
Emad Alyan ◽  
Naufal M. Saad ◽  
Nidal Kamel ◽  
Mohd Zuki Yusoff ◽  
Mohd Azman Zakariya ◽  
...  

This study aims to investigate the effects of workplace noise on neural activity and alpha asymmetries of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during mental stress conditions. Workplace noise exposure is a pervasive environmental pollutant and is negatively linked to cognitive effects and selective attention. Generally, the stress theory is assumed to underlie the impact of noise on health. Evidence for the impacts of workplace noise on mental stress is lacking. Fifteen healthy volunteer subjects performed the Montreal imaging stress task in quiet and noisy workplaces while their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography. The salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) was measured before and immediately after each tested workplace to evaluate the stress level. The results showed a decrease in alpha rhythms, or an increase in cortical activity, of the PFC for all participants at the noisy workplace. Further analysis of alpha asymmetry revealed a greater significant relative right frontal activation of the noisy workplace group at electrode pairs F4-F3 but not F8-F7. Furthermore, a significant increase in sAA activity was observed in all participants at the noisy workplace, demonstrating the presence of stress. The findings provide critical information on the effects of workplace noise-related stress that might be neglected during mental stress evaluations.

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid C. Szijgyarto ◽  
Trevor J. King ◽  
Jennifer Ku ◽  
Veronica J. Poitras ◽  
Brendon J. Gurd ◽  
...  

Acute mental stress can impair brachial artery (BA) flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in response to reactive hyperemia (RH) induced increases in shear stress. Handgrip exercise (HGEX) is emerging as a useful tool to increase shear stress for FMD assessment; however, the impact of acute mental stress on HGEX-FMD is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether acute mental stress attenuates RH- and HGEX-induced BA-FMD to a similar extent. In 2 counterbalanced visits, 16 healthy males (19–27 years of age) performed RH-FMD or HGEX-FMD tests after a counting control task (prestress FMD) and a speech and arithmetic stress task (poststress FMD). BA diameter and mean blood velocity were assessed with echo and Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Shear stress was estimated using shear rate (SR = BA blood velocity/BA diameter). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and salivary cortisol were used to assess stress reactivity. Results are expressed as mean ± SE. The stress task elevated MAP (Δ24.0 ± 2.6 mm Hg) and HR (Δ15.5 ± 1.9 beats·min–1), but not cortisol (prestress vs. poststress: 4.4 ± 0.7 nmol·L–1 vs. 4.7 ± 0.7 nmol·L–1; p = 0.625). There was no difference between the pre- and poststress SR stimulus for RH (p = 0.115) or HGEX (p = 0.664). RH-FMD decreased from 5.2% ± 0.6% prestress to 4.1% ± 0.5% poststress (p = 0.071); however, stress did not attenuate HGEX-FMD (prestress vs. poststress: 4.1% ± 0.6% vs. 5.3% ± 0.6%; p = 0.154). The pre- to poststress change in FMD was significantly different in the RH-FMD vs. the HGEX-FMD test (–1.1% ± 0.6% vs. +1.1% ± 0.8%; p = 0.015). In conclusion, acute mental stress appears to have a disparate impact on FMD stimulated by RH vs. HGEX induced increases in shear stress.


2013 ◽  
Vol 779-780 ◽  
pp. 1731-1736
Author(s):  
Li Ho Tseng ◽  
Ming Tai Cheng ◽  
Shih Tsung Chen ◽  
Jyi Faa Hwang ◽  
Chia Ju Chen ◽  
...  

During the past two decades, most researchers employed a questionnaire to characterize the effect of noise on psychosomatic responses. Developments in physiological techniques offer a non-invasive method for recording brain activity with electroencephalography (EEG). This method for assessing the impact of noise on attention is growing in popularity. The aim of this study was to investigate brain activity changes in response to noise exposure during attention-demanding tasks by using EEG power and phase coherence estimation. We hypothesized that brain rhythms could be affected by environmental stimuli and would be reflected in the EEG power and phase coherence. Nineteen healthy right-handed university students (mean age = 21.5 ± 2.0 years) participated in this study. The experiment comprised recording EEG data for participants in the following steps: rest with eyes closed (< 50 dBA), rest with eyes open, listening in a noisy environment (85 dBA), performance on an attention-demanding task in a quiet environment (< 50 dBA), and performance on an attention-demanding task in a noisy environment (85 dBA). Significant differences were observed between stages, and the participants performed more effectively in the quiet environment, where they showed higher rates of correct responses (p <.05). From the assessment of the EEG power and phase coherence estimation, the study demonstrated the following: (1) Alpha-2 (10-13 Hz) power and phase coherence decreased when participants shifted from closed eyes to open eyes, while theta power increased. (2) In contrast, during the noise exposure phase, whether during an attention-demanding task or not, beta (13-30 Hz) phase coherence decreased in the brain, but theta phase coherence was not affected compared to the results in the quiet environment. We suggest that the high frequency of neural synchronization is relevant for cognitive performance, and that participants at risk for selective attention are affected by noise exposure.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley D. Hatfield

The paper presents a theoretical perspective on brain activity that characterizes expert cognitive-motor performance grounded in neural and psychomotor efficiency. Evidence for the position is derived from several different measurement tools (EEG, ERPs, fMRI, EEG coherence) based on empirical studies of (1) expert-novice contrasts, (2) changes in the brain after practice, and (3) motor performance under conditions of mental stress. The impact of mental stress on brain processes during motor performance is then discussed followed by a model of the hypothesized central neural responses to emotion-eliciting events to explain resilience to stress and the ability to “perform under pressure” as observed in high-performing athletes. An overall explanation is offered of the cascade of events that link the perception of the environment in which the performance occurs to the peripheral process of motor unit recruitment and the resultant quality of movement. This integrative perspective on human performance considers multiple levels of explanation including the psychology of sport performance, cognitive-motor neuroscience, and basic biomechanics to understand the kinematic qualities of movement and the effort cost involved.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Wyczesany ◽  
Szczepan J. Grzybowski ◽  
Jan Kaiser

Abstract. In the study, the neural basis of emotional reactivity was investigated. Reactivity was operationalized as the impact of emotional pictures on the self-reported ongoing affective state. It was used to divide the subjects into high- and low-responders groups. Independent sources of brain activity were identified, localized with the DIPFIT method, and clustered across subjects to analyse the visual evoked potentials to affective pictures. Four of the identified clusters revealed effects of reactivity. The earliest two started about 120 ms from the stimulus onset and were located in the occipital lobe and the right temporoparietal junction. Another two with a latency of 200 ms were found in the orbitofrontal and the right dorsolateral cortices. Additionally, differences in pre-stimulus alpha level over the visual cortex were observed between the groups. The attentional modulation of perceptual processes is proposed as an early source of emotional reactivity, which forms an automatic mechanism of affective control. The role of top-down processes in affective appraisal and, finally, the experience of ongoing emotional states is also discussed.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Romeo ◽  
Margherita Brondino ◽  
Gianluigi Lazzarini ◽  
Elisabetta Farise ◽  
Margherita Pasini

GEOgraphia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (43) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Amaury De Souza ◽  
Priscilla V Ikefuti ◽  
Ana Paula Garcia ◽  
Debora A.S Santos ◽  
Soetania Oliveira

Análise e previsão de parâmetros de qualidade do ar são tópicos importantes da pesquisa atmosférica e ambiental atual, devido ao impacto causado pela poluição do ar na saúde humana. Este estudo examina a transformação do dióxido de nitrogênio (NO2) em ozônio (O3) no ambiente urbano, usando o diagrama de séries temporais. Foram utilizados dados de concentração de poluentes ambientais e variáveis meteorológicas para prever a concentração de O3 na atmosfera. Foi testado o emprego de modelos de regressão linear múltipla como ferramenta para a predição da concentração de O3. Os resultados indicam que o valor da temperatura e a presença de NO2 influenciam na concentração de O3 em Campo Grande, capital do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Palavras-chave: Ozônio. Dióxido de nitrogênio. Séries cronológicas. Regressões. ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN O3, NO AND NO2 USING MULTIPLE LINEAR REGRESSION TECHNIQUES.Abstract: Analysis and prediction of air quality parameters are important topics of current atmospheric and environmental research due to the impact caused by air pollution on human health. This study examines the transformation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) into ozone (O3) in the urban environment, using the time series diagram. Environmental pollutant concentration and meteorological variables were used to predict the O3 concentration in the atmosphere. The use of multiple linear regression models was tested as a tool to predict O3 concentration. The results indicate that the temperature value and the presence of NO2 influence the O3 concentration in Campo Grande, capital of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul.Keywords: Ozone. Nitrogen dioxide. Time series. Regressions. ANÁLISIS DE LA RELACIÓN ENTRE O3, NO Y NO2 UTILIZANDO MÚLTIPLES TÉCNICAS DE REGRESIÓN LINEAL.Resumen: Análisis y previsión de los parámetros de calidad del aire son temas importantes de la actual investigación de la atmósfera y el medio ambiente, debido al impacto de la contaminación atmosférica sobre la salud humana. Este estudio examina la transformación del dióxido de nitrógeno (NO2) en ozono (O3) en el entorno urbano, utilizando el diagrama de series de tiempo. Las concentraciones de los contaminantes ambientales de datos y variables climáticas fueron utilizadas para predecir la concentración de O3 en la atmósfera. El uso de múltiples modelos de regresión lineal como herramienta para predecir la concentración de O3 se puso a prueba. Los resultados indican que el valor de la temperatura y la presencia de NO2 influyen en la concentración de O3 en Campo Grande, capital del Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul.Palabras clave: Ozono. Dióxido de nitrógeno. Series de tiempo. Regresiones.


Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata

Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem in nearly all industries. This chapter describes industrial noise exposure, its assessment, and hearing disorders that result from overexposure to noise. Beginning with the properties of sound, noise-induced hearing loss and other effects of noise exposure are discussed. The impact of hearing disorders and the influence of other factors on hearing loss are described. Typically, noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Therefore, this chapter gives particular attention to recommendations for measures to prevent occupational hearing loss such as engineering noise controls and hearing protection devices.


Author(s):  
Gavin H. West ◽  
Laura S. Welch

This chapter describes the hazards for construction workers, with a particular focus on injuries as well as exposures to hazardous chemicals and dusts. A section describes hazardous exposures to lead and other heavy metals. Another section describes noise exposure. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers is then discussed. A section on respiratory diseases focuses on asbestosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Exposures known to cause dermatitis and cancer are reviewed. There is a discussion of engineered nanomaterials as a potential emerging hazard. Various approaches to prevention and control, including regulations and health services, are described.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Lucy S. King ◽  
Daisy E. Feddoes ◽  
Jacklyn S. Kirshenbaum ◽  
Kathryn L. Humphreys ◽  
Ian H. Gotlib

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e0176610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Sheng ◽  
Peiying Liu ◽  
Deng Mao ◽  
Yulin Ge ◽  
Hanzhang Lu

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