Comparison of different face masks on physiology and tolerability.
Abstract
Background/Purpose: There is insufficient data on physiological and psychological alterations that may occur due to wearing various face masks during surgeries or for air-borne infection protection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physiological effects of various types of face masks 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: Our study results show that, during 2 hours of period, face mask types affect only subjective parameters such as headache, exhaustion and fatigue without any change in the objective parameters such as oxygen saturation, and pulse and respiratory rates among healthcare workers.
Keywords
Face masks Healtcare workers personal protective equipment surgical mask N95 mask hypo-oxygenation
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Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Health Services and Systems (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | September 9, 2025 |
| Publication Date | September 15, 2025 |
| Submission Date | April 16, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 11, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 16 Issue: Erken Çevrimiçi Yayınlar |