scholarly journals Impact of Personal Cooling on Performance, Comfort and Heat Strain of Healthcare Workers in PPE, a Study From West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Bonell ◽  
Behzad Nadjm ◽  
Tida Samateh ◽  
Jainaba Badjie ◽  
Robyn Perry-Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Thermal Strain ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Effect Estimate ◽  
Ensure Patient Safety ◽  
Cooling Methods

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential component of safely treating suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients. PPE acts as a barrier to heat loss, therefore increasing the risk of thermal strain which may impact on cognitive function. Healthcare workers (HCWs) need to be able to prioritize and execute complex tasks effectively to ensure patient safety. This study evaluated pre-cooling and per-cooling methods on thermal strain, thermal comfort and cognitive function during simulated emergency management of an acutely unwell patient.Methods: This randomized controlled crossover trial was run at the Clinical Services Department of the Medical Research Unit The Gambia. Each participant attended two sessions (Cool and Control) in standard PPE. Cool involved pre-cooling with an ice slurry ingestion and per-cooling by wearing an ice-vest external to PPE.Results: Twelve participants completed both sessions. There was a significant increase in tympanic temperature in Control sessions at both 1 and 2 h in PPE (p = 0.01). No significant increase was seen during Cool. Effect estimate of Cool was −0.2°C (95% CI −0.43; 0.01, p = 0.06) post 1 h and −0.28°C (95% CI −0.57; 0.02, p = 0.06) post 2 h on tympanic temperature. Cool improved thermal comfort (p < 0.001), thermal sensation (p < 0.001), and thirst (p = 0.04). No difference on cognitive function was demonstrated using multilevel modeling.Discussion: Thermal strain in HCWs wearing PPE can be safely reduced using pre- and per-cooling methods external to PPE.

scholarly journals Dilution Method of Menthol Solutions Affects Subsequent Perceptual Thermal Responses during Passive Heat Exposure in Non-Heat Acclimated Participants

Beverages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Russ Best ◽  
Rachana Naicker ◽  
Peter Maulder ◽  
Nicolas Berger
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Exercise Science ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Sport And Exercise

Due to its volatility, the qualitative experience of menthol may be modulated by its preparation and combination with other compounds. One such method of preparation is dilution, with two dilution methods existing within the sport and exercise science literature, where menthol is used to impart feelings of oral cooling and improve thermal comfort and sensation during heat exposure. This study compared these two dilution methods; one using a solvent the other using temperature, via a randomized counterbalanced repeated measures design (n = 12; Height: 174.0 ± 8.5 cm Mass: 73.4 ± 13.3 kg Age: 28.7 ± 8.4 y; two exposures to each solution) to assess the effect of solution and heat exposure, upon thermal comfort, thermal sensation and associated physiological parameters in non-heat acclimated participants. Thermal comfort was significantly affected by solution (p = 0.041; η2 = 0.017) and time (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.228), whereas thermal sensation was significantly affected by time only (p = 0.012; η2 = 0.133), as was tympanic temperature (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.277). Small to moderate clear differences between solutions at matched time points were also observed. These trends and effects suggest that, depending upon the dilution method employed, the resultant perceptual effects are likely impacted; this also likely depends upon the timing of menthol administration within a heat exposure session.

scholarly journals Cooling Between Exercise Bouts and Post-exercise With the Fan Cooling Jacket on Thermal Strain in Hot-Humid Environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidenori Otani ◽  
Makoto Fukuda ◽  
Takehiro Tagawa
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Thermal Strain ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Exercise Recovery ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Fan Cooling ◽  
Cooling Jacket ◽  
Post Exercise Recovery ◽  
Skin Temperatures

This study investigated the effects of cooling between exercise bouts and post-exercise with a commercially available fan cooling jacket on thermal and perceptual responses during and following exercise in hot-humid environments. Ten male athletes completed two 30 min cycling bouts at a constant workload (1.4 watts⋅kg–1 of body mass) with a 5 min recovery period in between. Exercise was followed by a 10 min recovery period. In an environmental chamber (33°C, 65% relative humidity), participants performed two trials with (FCJ) or without (CON) the fan cooling jacket on a T-shirt during the 5 min inter-exercise and 10 min post-exercise recovery periods. Mean, chest and upper arm skin temperatures, and thermal sensation and comfort were lower in FCJ than CON trial during and following exercise (P &lt; 0.05). Thigh and calf skin temperatures, infrared tympanic temperature and heart rate were lower in FCJ than CON trial during the experimental trials (P &lt; 0.05). The rates of fall in mean, chest and upper arm skin temperatures, infrared tympanic temperature and thermal sensation and comfort were faster in FCJ than CON trial during both recovery periods (P &lt; 0.05). There were faster rates of fall in thigh and calf skin temperatures and heart rate in FCJ than CON trial during the post-exercise recovery period (P &lt; 0.05). No difference was observed between trials in the rating of perceived exertion (P &gt; 0.05). This study indicates that cooling between exercise bouts and post-exercise with the fan cooling jacket would effectively mitigate thermal strain and perception/discomfort during and following exercise in hot-humid environments. This garment would reduce whole-body skin temperature quickly while promoting falls in lower-body as well as upper-body skin temperatures.

scholarly journals Analysis of tourism potential for Crete island, Greece

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-149 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Meteorological Parameters ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Wave Radiation ◽  
Thermal Indices ◽  
Crete Island ◽  
Tourism Potential

To describe the tourism potential of an area, not only single meteorological parameters have to be taken into account, but also thermal sensation and people’s thermal comfort. The latter can be estimated by the use of human energy balance models and the derived thermal indices, which comprise all relevant meteorological parameters like air temperature, air humidity, wind speed, and short and long wave radiation fluxes. This paper makes an attempt to assess and analyze climatological parameters and the thermal comfort of Crete, its variations and trends for the period of time 1955-2001. In addition, a definition and quantification of the island’s tourism potential is carried out. Long term data from several stations are used from the existing climatic and synoptic network of Crete, including daily mean, maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover over the whole island, in order to derive the daily Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and precipitation. In addition, possible trends of thermal comfort and precipitation on an annual and seasonal basis are analyzed. Additionally, data of the 10-minutes climatology of the Climate Research Unit of the University of Norwich have been processed in order to create high resolution (1 km) mean monthly maps for climatological parameters such as air temperature, precipitation and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature.

scholarly journals Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russ Best ◽  
Peter S Maulder ◽  
Nicolas Berger
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Carbohydrate Intake ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Dietary Carbohydrate ◽  
Testing Block

Carbohydrate and menthol mouth-swilling have been used to enhance exercise performance in the heat. However, these strategies differ in mechanism and subjective experience. Participants (n=12) sat for 60 min in hot conditions (35&deg;C; 15&plusmn;2%), following a 15 min control period, participants undertook three 15 min testing blocks. A randomised swill (Carbohydrate; Menthol; Water) was administered per testing block (one swill every three minutes within each block). Heart rate, tympanic temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation and thirst were recorded every three minutes. Data were analysed by ANOVA, with carbohydrate intake controlled for via ANCOVA. Small elevations in heart rate were observed after carbohydrate (ES: 0.22 &plusmn; 90% CI: -0.09 to 0.52) and water swilling (0.26; -0.04 to 0.54). Menthol showed small improvements in thermal comfort relative to carbohydrate (-0.33; -0.63 to 0.03) and water (-0.40; -0.70 to -0.10), and induced moderate reductions in thermal sensation (-0.71; -1.01 to -0.40 and -0.66; -0.97 to -0.35, respectively). Menthol reduced thirst by a small to moderate extent. These effects persisted when controlling for dietary carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrate and water may elevate heart rate, whereas menthol elicits small improvements in thermal comfort, moderately improves thermal sensation and may mitigate thirst; these effects persist when dietary carbohydrate intake is controlled for.

scholarly journals Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions: A Repeated Measures Cross-Over Preliminary Trial

Beverages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russ Best ◽  
Peter S. Maulder ◽  
Nicolas Berger
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Carbohydrate Intake ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Dietary Carbohydrate ◽  
Testing Block

Carbohydrate and menthol mouth-swilling have been used to enhance exercise performance in the heat. However, these strategies differ in mechanism and subjective experience. Participants (n = 12) sat for 60 min in hot conditions (35 °C; 15 ± 2%) following a 15 min control period, during which the participants undertook three 15 min testing blocks. A randomised swill (carbohydrate; menthol; water) was administered per testing block (one swill every three minutes within each block). Heart rate, tympanic temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation and thirst were recorded every three minutes. Data were analysed by ANOVA, with carbohydrate intake controlled for via ANCOVA. Small elevations in heart rate were observed after carbohydrate (ES: 0.22 ± 90% CI: −0.09–0.52) and water swilling (0.26; −0.04–0.54). Menthol showed small improvements in thermal comfort relative to carbohydrate (−0.33; −0.63–0.03) and water (−0.40; from −0.70 to −0.10), and induced moderate reductions in thermal sensation (−0.71; from −1.01 to −0.40 and −0.66; from −0.97 to −0.35, respectively). Menthol reduced thirst by a small to moderate extent. These effects persisted when controlling for dietary carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrate and water may elevate heart rate, whereas menthol elicits small improvements in thermal comfort, moderately improves thermal sensation and may mitigate thirst; these effects persist when dietary carbohydrate intake is controlled for.

Thermal Comfort and Thermal Sensation During Exposure to Hot, Hot-Humid and Thermoneutral Environments

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Kolka ◽  
Christina M. Kesick ◽  
Leslie Levine ◽  
Sharon A. McBride ◽  
Lou A. Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Sensation

scholarly journals Safer primary healthcare facilities are needed to protect healthcare workers and maintain essential services: lessons learned from a multicountry COVID-19 emergency response initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e005833
Author(s):  
Leena N Patel ◽  
Samantha Kozikott ◽  
Rodrigue Ilboudo ◽  
Moreen Kamateeka ◽  
Mohammed Lamorde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
National Level ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Facility Level ◽  
Ensure Patient Safety ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Facility Level

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 and other disease pathogens, which take a disproportionate toll on HCWs, with substantial cost to health systems. Improved infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes can protect HCWs, especially in resource-limited settings where the health workforce is scarcest, and ensure patient safety and continuity of essential health services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with ministries of health and development partners to implement an emergency initiative for HCWs at the primary health facility level in 22 African countries. Between April 2020 and January 2021, the initiative trained 42 058 front-line HCWs from 8444 health facilities, supported longitudinal supervision and monitoring visits guided by a standardised monitoring tool, and provided resources including personal protective equipment (PPE). We documented significant short-term improvements in IPC performance, but gaps remain. Suspected HCW infections peaked at 41.5% among HCWs screened at monitored facilities in July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic in Africa. Disease-specific emergency responses are not the optimal approach. Comprehensive, sustainable IPC programmes are needed. IPC needs to be incorporated into all HCW training programmes and combined with supportive supervision and mentorship. Strengthened data systems on IPC are needed to guide improvements at the health facility level and to inform policy development at the national level, along with investments in infrastructure and sustainable supplies of PPE. Multimodal strategies to improve IPC are critical to make health facilities safer and to protect HCWs and the communities they serve.

scholarly journals Proposal of Relative Thermal Sensation: Another Dimension of Thermal Comfort and Its Investigation

IEEE Access ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 36266-36281
Author(s):  
Ziyang Wang ◽  
Hiroshi Onodera ◽  
Ryuji Matsuhashi
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Sensation

scholarly journals Thermal Comfort and Sleep Quality of Indonesian Students Living in Japan during Summer and Winter

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 326
Author(s):  
Wiwik Budiawan ◽  
Kazuyo Tsuzuki
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Subjective Sleepiness ◽  
Adaptive Action ◽  
Quality Sleep ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Thermal comfort is crucial in satisfaction and maintaining quality sleep for occupants. In this study, we investigated the comfort temperature in the bedroom at night and sleep quality for Indonesian students during summer and winter. Eighteen male Indonesian students aged 29 ± 4 years participated in this study. The participants had stayed in Japan for about six months. We evaluated the sleep parameters using actigraphy performed during summer and winter. All participants completed the survey regarding thermal sensation, physical conditions, and subjective sleepiness before sleep. The temperature and relative humidity of participants’ bedrooms were also measured. We found that the duration on the bed during winter was significantly longer than that during summer. However, sleeping efficiency during winter was significantly worse than that during summer. The bedroom temperature of the participants was in the range of comfort temperature in Indonesia. With the average bedroom air temperature of 22.2 °C, most of the participants still preferred “warm” and felt “slightly comfortable” during winter. The average comfort temperature each season calculated using the Griffiths method was 28.1 °C during summer and 23.5 °C during winter. In conclusion, differences in adaptive action affect bedroom thermal conditions. Furthermore, habits encourage the sleep performance of Indonesian students.

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