scholarly journals Physiological impact of wearing a surgical face mask during walking in the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-207
Author(s):  
Mustafa Ş. Akgül ◽  
Neslihan Ozcan ◽  
Mahmut E. Uzun ◽  
Veli V. Gurses ◽  
Bilgehan Baydil

Background and Study Aim. Common use of surgical face masks is recommended for social and individual health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is no systematic report for responses of organism to wearing a surgical face mask during different exercises. In this context the purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of wearing a surgical face mask during a one-hour brisk walking. Material and Methods. A total of thirty male (n=16) and female (n=14) volunteers (mean age and BMI of 32±1.07 years and 25.1±0.68 kg/m2, respectively) completed the protocol. This was a multiple cross-over trial for healthy volunteers. All participants took a one-hour brisk walking with and without a surgical face mask. Specific physiological measurements (HR - heart rate; BP - blood pressure, SaO2 - arterial oxygen content) were compared before and immediately after two brisk walking. Each subject served their own control. Results. The evaluation found that there was no statistically significant difference between the mean HR and blood pressure values during the brisk walking with and without a surgical face mask, while there was a statistically significant difference in the SaO2 values on behalf of no-mask-walking (p<0.05). Conclusions. The use of surgical face masks in healthy volunteers causes a decrease in SaO2 during brisk walking. However, it does not affect the mean pulse rate and blood pressure. Although there was a statistically significant decrease in the SaO2 parameter during mask-walking, it is possible to state that brisk walking with a surgical face mask does not have a physiologically negative impact, because this decrease is in ranges that are accepted to be normal. 

Author(s):  
Faezeh Heidarbeigi ◽  
Hamidreza Jamilian ◽  
Anita Alaghemand ◽  
Alireza Kamali

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the appropriate treatments for many neuropsychiatric patients, especially those with mood disorders. Short-term complications of ECT include agitation and postictal. In this study, we compared the addition of dexmedetomidine or remifentanil to thiopental as the main anaesthetic used in ECT. In this double-blind randomised clinical trial, 90 patients with mood disorders (candidates for ECT) were divided into two groups based on their therapy: dexmedetomidine or remifentanil. In the first group (DG), patients were slowly injected intravenously with 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine before induction of anesthesia. In the second group (GR), 100 μg of remifentanil was slowly injected intravenously.In addition, we collected demographic information such as respiratory rate, heart pulse rate, seizure time, mean of arterial blood pressure, recovery duration and the oxygen arterial saturation recorded after recovery. Data obtained were analysed by use of statistical software, SPSS-23. The mean age of both groups was approximately 37 years with the majority being men. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and sex, blood pressure, heart rate, duration of seizures and arterial oxygen saturation before ECT. The mean blood pressure and heart rate in the recovery group were lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the remifentanil group and the hemodynamics in the dexmedetomidine group were more stable. The recovery time in the dexmedetomidine group was longer than that of the remifentanil group (p = 0.001). Both groups had approximately the same satisfaction and the rate of agitation after ECT was the same. Both remifentanil and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants lead to a decrease in patients' post-ECT hyperdynamic responses. In our study, we demonstrated that the effect of dexmedetomidine is greater than remifentanil. On the other hand, neither dexmedetomidine nor remifentanil had a negative effect on seizure duration, but dexmedetomidine significantly prolonged recovery time, when compared to remifentanil.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faezeh Heidarbeigi ◽  
Hamidreza Jamilian ◽  
Anita Alaghemand ◽  
Alireza Kamali

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the appropriate treatments for many neuropsychiatric patients, especially those with mood disorders. Short-term complications of ECT include agitation and postictal. In this study, we compared the addition of dexmedetomidine or remifentanil to thiopental as the main anaesthetic used in ECT. In this double-blind randomised clinical trial, 90 patients with mood disorders (candidates for ECT) were divided into two groups based on their therapy: dexmedetomidine or remifentanil. In the first group (DG), patients were slowly injected intravenously with 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine before induction of anesthesia. In the second group (GR), 100 μg of remifentanil was slowly injected intravenously.In addition, we collected demographic information such as respiratory rate, heart pulse rate, seizure time, mean of arterial blood pressure, recovery duration and the oxygen arterial saturation recorded after recovery. Data obtained were analysed by use of statistical software, SPSS-23. The mean age of both groups was approximately 37 years with the majority being men. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and sex, blood pressure, heart rate, duration of seizures and arterial oxygen saturation before ECT. The mean blood pressure and heart rate in the recovery group were lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the remifentanil group and the hemodynamics in the dexmedetomidine group were more stable. The recovery time in the dexmedetomidine group was longer than that of the remifentanil group (p = 0.001). Both groups had approximately the same satisfaction and the rate of agitation after ECT was the same. Both remifentanil and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants lead to a decrease in patients' post-ECT hyperdynamic responses. In our study, we demonstrated that the effect of dexmedetomidine is greater than remifentanil. On the other hand, neither dexmedetomidine nor remifentanil had a negative effect on seizure duration, but dexmedetomidine significantly prolonged recovery time, when compared to remifentanil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204589402098843
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Swiatek ◽  
Charnetta Lester ◽  
Nicole Ng ◽  
Saahil Golia ◽  
Janet Pinson ◽  
...  

Our objective was to establish the impact of wearing a face mask on the outcome of six-minute walk test in healthy volunteers. In a study of 20 healthy volunteers who each completed two 6MWTs, one with a mask and one without, there was no difference in distance walked. However, there was a significant difference in perception of dyspnea between the two groups.


Author(s):  
Suganthi S. Ramachandran ◽  
Vijay L. Kumar ◽  
S. N. Dwivedi ◽  
Vishwajeet Singh ◽  
Pooja Gupta

Background: This study aimed to compare the effect of regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers during post-lunch period.Methods: In this randomized double-blind cross-over study, adult healthy volunteers were given hot coffee (3 g each of regular or decaffeinated coffee) during post-lunch period. Psychomotor functions (critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF), choice reaction time (CRT) and error count in hand-steadiness test (HST)), blood pressure and heart rate were measured pre-lunch, pre-coffee (1-hour post-lunch) and 1-hour post-coffee consumption. Subjective ratings of sleepiness and mood were also assessed during post-lunch sessions.Results: The mean age of the participants (n=16) was 27.4±2.7 years with a male: female ratio of 7:9. There was no significant deterioration in psychomotor performance post-lunch when compared to pre-lunch on both the days. The mean CFF, CRT, errors committed in HST and cardiovascular parameters did not differ significantly between regular coffee and decaffeinated groups during post-lunch sessions. There was no significant difference in values of cardiovascular parameters as well as subjective ratings of sleep and mood between two groups.Conclusions: In healthy adult individuals’ consumption of both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee during the post-lunch period did not affect psychomotor performance.


Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumiko Kaifu ◽  
Hiroyuki Kobori ◽  
Yoko Nishijima ◽  
Akira Nishiyama ◽  
Masakazu Kohno

Background: We have previously reported that urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) excretion did not have a circadian rhythm and could be a novel biomarker for the activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in kidney. However, there have been few reports investigating the circadian rhythm of plasma AGT in human body. Thus, this study was performed to examine the circadian rhythm in plasma AGT in human. METHODS: Evaluating RAS in clinical practice is generally performed in a recumbent position after a 30-minute stabilization period. However, to determine the necessity of recumbent position, we first compared plasma AGT concentrations measured right after waking up and after a 5-minute sitting rest. Next, we examined the circadian rhythm of plasma AGT in 43 healthy volunteers who had shown no abnormalities in the medical examinations in 2011. Plasma AGT was measured at three time points (9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m.) in the above volunteers. Blood was collected by a micro hematocrit capillary tube with heparin, frozen for storage after centrifugation, and thawed for the measurement of plasma AGT using an ELISA kit. Results: There was no significant difference between the plasma AGT values of the two measuring methods (P = 0.1202, n = 5). Based on the result, we performed blood sampling after a 5-minute sitting rest in the volunteers consisting of 17 men and 26 women. Average blood pressure was 116.3/75.1 mmHg at 9 a.m., 116.3/71.9 mmHg at 1 p.m., and 115.5/70.1 mmHg at 4 p.m.; average pulse rate was 78.7/min at 9 a.m., 77.1/min at 1 p.m., and 73.3/min at 4 p.m. Blood pressure and pulse rate did not change throughout the day. Average plasma AGT was 20.4 ± 6.0 ng/ml at 9 a.m., 20.7 ± 5.0 ng/ml at 1 p.m., and 19.8 ± 6.4 ng/ml at 4 p.m. Plasma AGT did not show a circadian rhythm (P = 0.3803). Conclusion: We found in this study that plasma AGT did not have a circadian rhythm. We also found that plasma AGT was not affected by daily life actions. Thus, future patients may not be required to rest nor wait for certain time points before measuring plasma AGT. We also have to unveil the normal AGT levels and the influence on the levels by diseases. As we think that plasma AGT and ratio of urinary AGT to plasma AGT can be a new surrogate marker of hypertension and kidney diseases, we further need to go into this research area.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Moussavi ◽  
Gustavo Rodriguez ◽  
Joseph Alario ◽  
Ravjot Sodhi ◽  
Aaron Nizam ◽  
...  

Introduction: Extensive studies have not been done in patients presenting with ischemic stroke regarding hydration status. It is unclear whether all of the elements of hydration status affect disability on discharge. Our past study suggests that high serum osmolality has a negative impact on ischemic stroke severity. This continuation of our prior study aims to test the effect of all laboratory elements of dehydration on severity and outcome of ischemic stroke patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of ischemic stroke patients admitted between 2004 and 2009 at a community teaching hospital. Serum BUN/Creatinine and serum osmolality (sOsm) was calculated at initial presentation. sOSm, BUN/Cr, hematocrit and bicarbonate levels were analyzed for association with NIHSS and mRS. Patients were divided into two groups by sOsm as follows: (1) sOsm < 295, (2) sOsm ≥ 295; and two groups by BUN/Cr as follows: (3) BUN/Cr < 20, (4) BUN/Cr ≥ 20. Discharge mRS score was compared between (1) and (2); and (3) and (4) to determine the effect of sOsm and BUN/Cr on stroke outcomes. All data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: Of 1350 patients, 543 (mean age = 72.5 +/-14.2, 56% female) were included. There was a significant difference between the mean admission NIHSS in (1) 8.57, n = 222 and (2) 7.09, n = 319, p < .05 and between (3) 8.90, n = 219 and (4) 6.87, n = 322, p < .05. There was a significant difference in the mean mRS score between (1) 2.92, n = 222 and (2) 2.54, n = 317, p < .05, and (3) 2.92, n = 218 and (4) 2.56, n = 321, p < .05. The same results were found when comparing discharge sOsm values to predict patient outcome. Discharge sOsm correlated with mRS (r = .147, p < .05). Initial BUN/Cr correlated with NIHSS (r = .128, p < .05) and mRS (r = .107, p < .05) and final BUN/Cr with mRS (r = .161, p < .001). Bicarbonate levels at admission correlated with NIHSS at admission (r = -0.134), p < 0.05. Hematocrit levels at discharge correlated with mRS (r= -0.183), p <0.001. Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients with BUN/Cr and sOsm above normal levels at admission and dishcarge have worse outcome at discharge. We also found a correlation between other laboratory variables of dehydration status, namely hematocrit levels and outcome. A future prospective randomized study is warranted.


Hypertension ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R Thomas ◽  
Ricky T Munoz ◽  
Mark D Fox ◽  
Angela T Yetman

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are poorly defined among the population of adults with congenital heart disease. In particular, the prevalence of pre-hypertension (pre-HTN) and hypertension (HTN) are currently unknown. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN among adults with congenital heart disease; and to assess HTN control rates among different clinic types. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a cohort of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) was conducted. Data regarding CHD patients' blood pressure (BP), medications, and provider specialty were analyzed. Results: The cohort consisted of 971 patients. The mean age was 30.4 years (SD = 10.4), with 51% male. Thirty-two percent had HTN (n = 304). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of Pre-HTN and HTN by clinic type (i.e. specialty vs. non-specialty)( p = .225, p= .633 respectively). However, a statistically significant association exists between clinic type and HTN control rates χ 2 (1) = 3.185, p = .07 (Table 1). Those receiving care from a specialty clinic are 1.6 times more likely to have controlled HTN. Conclusions: Pre-HTN and HTN are common among adults with congenital heart disease. These CRFs are better managed in specialty clinics devoted to this population.


1957 ◽  
Vol 189 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Allbaugh Farrand ◽  
R. Larsen ◽  
Steven M. Horvath

The changes in splanchnic blood flow and related metabolic functions which occurred as the result of the infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min. of l-epinephrine and l-norepinephrine for 10 minutes were measured in anesthetized dogs. l-Epinephrine elicited a marked increase in estimated splanchnic blood flow and no change in mean arterial pressure. While a significantly increased mean arterial blood pressure was observed following the administration of l-norepinephrine, no change in estimated splanchnic blood flow occurred. Arterial oxygen content was increased significantly with both drugs. Utilization of oxygen by the splanchnic bed was not changed during the infusion of either drug but was increased during the postepinephrine infusion period.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-451
Author(s):  
Dilek Karaman ◽  
Funda Erol ◽  
Dilek Yılmaz ◽  
Yurdanur Dikmen

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality application on experimental ischemic pain created with a blood pressure instrument in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 172 volunteer adult students who conformed to the inclusion criteria. These individuals were assigned into an experimental (n=86) and a control group (n=86) by a simple randomization method. All individuals in the experimental and control groups wereexperimentally subjected to pain for two minutes by applying 260 mmHg of pressure 3-4 cm above the antecubital region of the left arm with an aneroid adult-type blood pressure instrument. During the procedure, the volunteers in the experimental group watched virtual reality images, while those in the control group received no intervention. Immediately after the procedure, the pain levels of the individuals in both groups were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: We found that the mean pain score of the individuals in the experimental group was 2.62±1.82, and that of individuals in the control group was 5.75±1.65. Results of the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the mean pain scores of the individuals in the experimental and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that the use of virtual reality was effective in reducing the level of pain in healthy individuals. This method used a smartphone with widespread availability and ease of transportation, which can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method in the management of pain.


1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 938-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin J. Durward ◽  
A. Lorne Amacher ◽  
Rolando F. Del Maestro ◽  
William J. Sibbald

✓ To establish if an optimum level of head elevation exists in patients with intracranial hypertension, the authors examined changes in intracranial pressure (ICP), systemic and pulmonary pressures, systemic flows, and intrapulmonary shunt fraction with the patient lying flat, and then with the head elevated at 15°, 30°, and 60°. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was calculated. The lowest mean ICP was found with elevation of the head to 15° (a fall of −4.5 ± 1.6 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and 30° (a fall of −6.1 ± 3.5 mm Hg, p < 0.001); the CPP and cardiac output were maintained. With elevation of the head to 60°, the mean ICP increased to −3.8 ± 9.3 mm Hg of baseline, while the CPP decreased −7.9 ± 9.3 mm Hg (p < 0.02), and the cardiac index also fell −0.25 ± 0.28 liters/min/sq m (p < 0.01). No significant change in filling pressures, arterial oxygen content, or heart rate was encountered at any level of head elevation. Therefore, a moderate degree (15° or 30°) of head elevation provides a consistent reduction of ICP without concomitant compromise of cardiac function. Lower (0°) or higher (60°) degrees of head elevation may be detrimental to the patient because of changes in the ICP, CPP, and cardiac output.


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