Research Article
Year 2025,
Volume: 16 Issue: 4, 567 - 574, 01.10.2025
Abstract
Purpose: There is insufficient data on physiological and psychological alterations that may occur among healthcare workers wearing various face masks uninterruptedly during surgeries or for air-borne infection protection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physiological effects of various types of face masking and associated discomfort among healthcare workers.
Methods: This prospective study included 33 healthy healthcare workers. Each participant was asked to wear a single surgical mask, double mask, N95 type mask, and surgical mask on N95 type mask for an uninterrupted period of 2 hours. Oxygen saturation, heart pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and step counts were recorded at baseline and every 30 min of 2 hours with a total of five times for each mask type. Self-assessment of fatigue, exhaustion, and headache were also graded. Intra- and inter-group analyses were performed.
Results: There was no significant difference in the oxygen saturation, diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rates among the participants including intra- and inter-groups (p>0.05). Systolic blood pressures gradually and significantly increased with a double surgical mask (p<0.05). Headache and exhaustion scores increased gradually and significantly over time at every measurement time point with every mask type (p<0.05) Fatigue scores also increased in intra-group comparison of mask types without any difference in-between.
Conclusion:Type of face mask affects only subjective parameters such as headache, exhaustion and fatigue without any change in the objective physiological parameters during 2 hours of uninterrupted masking.
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Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Health Services and Systems (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | September 9, 2025 |
| Publication Date | October 1, 2025 |
| Submission Date | April 16, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 11, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 16 Issue: 4 |
