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Halmai B, Holsgrove TP, Vine SJ, Harris DJ, Williams GKR. The after-effects of occupational whole-body vibration on human cognitive, visual, and motor function: A systematic review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 118:104264. [PMID: 38565009 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is prevalent in labour-related activities and can have adverse effects on the health and performance of the individuals exposed. However, evidence regarding the extent to which human functionality is affected following occupational WBV exposure has not been collated. The current systematic review sought to synthesize existing literature and assess the strength and direction of evidence regarding the acute after-effects of occupational WBV exposure on cognition, visual function, postural stability, and motor control. We conducted a comprehensive search of AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMED, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, SPORTDiscus, APA PsychInfo, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, HMIC, Global Health, ProQuest Central, Scopus, Web of Science, and the US National Technical Information Service on April 26, 2023. Studies that quantified vibration exposure and measured acute changes in cognition, visual function, postural stability, and motor control from baseline to post-vibration were considered without date restriction. Out of the 2663 studies identified, 32 were eligible for inclusion. Based on the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Exposure (ROBINS-E) tool, the studies demonstrated low (66%), moderate (25%) and high risk of bias (9%). The findings indicate that after exposure to WBV, postural stability either deteriorates or remains unchanged. Inconsistent effects of WBV on cognition were reported, while visual function and motor control showed no pronounced changes following WBV. This might be attributed to assessment limitations such as learning effects in neuropsychological and motor tasks, and non-functional measures of vision employed. There was a lack of consistency in the characterization of vibration exposure and the assessment of associated effects on functional performance. Current evidence is therefore insufficient to provide definitive guidance for updating occupational health and safety regulations regarding WBV. However, this review highlights the potential for WBV to jeopardize post-exposure human performance and, consequently, safety. The completion of the review was supported by a UKRI EPSRC training grant. The review has been registered on PROSPERO (ref CRD42023391075).
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Halmai
- University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | | | - Samuel J Vine
- University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - David J Harris
- University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Genevieve K R Williams
- University of Exeter, Public Health and Sport Sciences, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
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Pazzaglia C, Cuccagna C, Gatto DM, Giovannini S, Fusco A, Castelli L, Padua L. Modification of heart rate variability induced by focal muscle vibration in patients with severe acquired brain injury. Brain Inj 2024; 38:436-442. [PMID: 38426450 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2311335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Heart rate variability (HRV) is a biomarker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) reaction in persons with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) who undergo a rehabilitation treatment, such as focal muscle vibration (FMV).This study aims to evaluate if and how FMV can modulate HRV and to compare potential differences in FMV modulation in HRV between patients with sABI and healthy controls. METHODS Ten patients with sABI and seven healthy controls have been recruited. Each individual underwent the same stimulation protocol (four consecutive trains of vibration of 5 minutes each with a 1-minute pause). HRV was analyzed through the ratio of frequency domain heart-rate variability (LF/HF). RESULTS In the control group, after performing FMV, a significant LF/HF difference was observed in the in the second vibration session compared to the POST phase. Patients with SABI treated on the affected side showed a statistically significant LF/HF difference in the PRE compared to the first vibration session. CONCLUSION These preliminary results suggest that FMV may modify the cardiac ANS activity in patients with sABI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Pazzaglia
- UOC Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Intensità, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Cuccagna
- UOC Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Intensità, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Mattia Gatto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Geriatriche e Ortopediche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Giovannini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Geriatriche e Ortopediche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- UOS Riabiltiazione Post-Acuzie, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Fusco
- UOC Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Intensità, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Castelli
- UOC Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Intensità, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Padua
- UOC Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Intensità, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Geriatriche e Ortopediche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Xu J, Fard M, Zhang N, Davy JL, Robinson SR. Interrelatedness of steering and lateral position parameters: Recommendations for the assessment of driving performance. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2024; 88:275-284. [PMID: 38485369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Loss of attention leads to less steady driving within the lane and is one of the main causes of road accidents. To improve road safety, vehicle-based parameters such as steering wheel angle and lateral position are used to objectively assess driving performance, especially in monotonous driving tasks. METHOD The present driving simulator study investigated the extent to which eight commonly used parameters are independent indicators of driving performance. Fifteen participants undertook a monotonous highway driving task for 1 h. Four steering angle parameters were examined: average steering angle (ASA), standard deviation of steering angle (SDSA), steering angle range (SAR), and steering reversal rate (SRR); as well as four lateral position parameters: mean lateral position (MLP), standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), lateral position range (LPR), and the out-of-lane duration. Measurements were averaged across 2-minute epochs. Repeated measures correlation analysis evaluated the similarity between each parameter, and the variance inflation factor test evaluated the multicollinearity of all the parameters. RESULTS The results demonstrated that some parameters are highly correlated and should not be used together to assess driving performance. It is recommended that the optimal combination is ASA and SAR to assess steering angle, and SDLP and out-of-lane to assess lateral position. Out-of-lane, as a factor directly contributing to road safety, is recommended because it has the least correlation with other parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS If implemented, these recommendations may improve the assessment of driving performance in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Xu
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia
| | | | - Neng Zhang
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia
| | - John L Davy
- School of Science, RMIT University, Australia
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Zhang N, Fard M, Xu J, Davy JL, Robinson SR. Road safety: The influence of vibration frequency on driver drowsiness, reaction time, and driving performance. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 114:104148. [PMID: 37813019 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Driver drowsiness is a factor in at least 20% of serious motor vehicle accidents. Although research has shown that Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can induce drowsiness in drivers, it is unknown whether particular frequencies are more problematic. The present study systematically investigated the influence of WBV frequency on driver drowsiness. Fifteen participants each undertook six 1-h sessions of simulated driving while being subjected to WBV of either 0 Hz (no vibration), 1-4 Hz, 4-8 Hz, 8-16 Hz, 16-32 Hz or 32-64 Hz. Subjective sleepiness, as measured by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), confirmed that drivers felt drowsier when exposed to the two lowest frequency ranges (1-4 Hz and 4-8 Hz). Reaction time, which measures attention and alertness, was significantly impaired by the two lowest frequency ranges. Objective driving performance measures (Standard Deviation of Lane Position (SDLP), Standard Deviation of (SD) Steering Angle, Time in Unsafe Zone) also showed significant degradation due to exposure to the two lowest frequency ranges. Exposure to 1-4 Hz or 4-8 Hz vibration caused attention to become significantly impaired within 15-20 min and driving performance to be significantly impaired by 30-35 min. The other frequency ranges had little or no effect. These findings point to a need to develop equivalent vibration-induced drowsiness contours that can be adopted as transportation safety standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Zhang
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia.
| | - M Fard
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia
| | - J Xu
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia
| | - J L Davy
- School of Science, RMIT University, Australia; Infrastructure Technologies, CSIRO, Australia
| | - S R Robinson
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences. RMIT University, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
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Shaw DM, Harrell JW. Integrating physiological monitoring systems in military aviation: a brief narrative review of its importance, opportunities, and risks. ERGONOMICS 2023; 66:2242-2254. [PMID: 36946542 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2194592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Military pilots risk their lives during training and operations. Advancements in aerospace engineering, flight profiles, and mission demands may require the pilot to test the safe limits of their physiology. Monitoring pilot physiology (e.g. heart rate, oximetry, and respiration) inflight is in consideration by several nations to inform pilots of reduced performance capacity and guide future developments in aircraft and life-support system design. Numerous challenges, however, prevent the immediate operationalisation of physiological monitoring sensors, particularly their unreliability in the aerospace environment and incompatibility with pilot clothing and protective equipment. Human performance and behaviour are also highly variable and measuring these in controlled laboratory settings do not mirror the real-world conditions pilots must endure. Misleading or erroneous predictive models are unacceptable as these could compromise mission success and lose operator trust. This narrative review provides an overview of considerations for integrating physiological monitoring systems within the military aviation environment.Practitioner summary: Advancements in military technology can conflictingly enhance and compromise pilot safety and performance. We summarise some of the opportunities, limitations, and risks of integrating physiological monitoring systems within military aviation. Our intent is to catalyse further research and technological development.Abbreviations: AGS: anti-gravity suit; AGSM: anti-gravity straining manoeuvre; A-LOC: almost loss of consciousness; CBF: cerebral blood flow; ECG: electrocardiogram; EEG: electroencephalogram; fNIRS: functional near-infrared spectroscopy; G-forces: gravitational forces; G-LOC: gravity-induced loss of consciousness; HR: heart rate; HRV: heart rate variability; LSS: life-support system; NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; PE: Physiological Episode; PCO2: partial pressure of carbon dioxide; PO2: partial pressure of oxygen; OBOGS: on board oxygen generating systems; SpO2: peripheral blood haemoglobin-oxygen saturation; STANAG: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Standardisation Agreement; UPE: Unexplained Physiological Episode; WBV: whole body vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Shaw
- Aviation Medicine Unit, Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John W Harrell
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, USA
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Lorenzino M, D'Agostin F, Rigutti S, Bovenzi M, Fantoni C, Bregant L. Mood regulates the physiological response to whole-body vibration at low intensity. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2023; 108:103956. [PMID: 36577272 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we evaluated the relationship between human vibrational comfort and psychophysiological processes. We exposed twenty-one participants to three levels of whole-body vibration at low intensity inside a full-scale mock-up of a ship cabin. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) activity, mood and well-being state during each level of vibration exposure were measured. We found that a positive affective state determined greater changes in ANS activity in response to vibration variations compared to a negative affective condition. Furthermore, we found that variations of the vibration intensity did not always determine variations of the comfort experience at physiological and psychological level. The relevance of our findings is a challenge for comfort design research showing a gap between guidelines for comfort design and evidence based on psychophysiological responses to environmental stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lorenzino
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 6/1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Flavia D'Agostin
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Via della Pietà 2/2, 34129, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Sara Rigutti
- Department of Life Science, Psychology Unit "Gaetano Kanizsa", University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss, 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Massimo Bovenzi
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Via della Pietà 2/2, 34129, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Carlo Fantoni
- Department of Life Science, Psychology Unit "Gaetano Kanizsa", University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss, 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Luigi Bregant
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 6/1, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Bhuiyan MHU, Fard M, Robinson SR. Effects of whole-body vibration on driver drowsiness: A review. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2022; 81:175-189. [PMID: 35589288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Whole-body vibration has direct impacts on driver vigilance by increasing physical and cognitive stress on the driver, which leads to drowsiness, fatigue and road traffic accidents. Although sleep deprivation, sleep apnoea and alcohol consumption can also lead to driver drowsiness, exposure to steady vibration is the factor most readily controlled by changes to vehicle design, yet it has received comparatively less attention. METHODS This review investigated interrelationships between the various components of whole-body vibration and the physiological and cognitive parameters that lead to driver drowsiness, as well as the effects of vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration). Vibrations transmitted to the driver body from the vehicle floor and/or seat have been considered for this review, whereas hand-arm vibration, shocks, acute or transient vibration were excluded from consideration. RESULTS Drowsiness is affected by interactions between the frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration of the vibration. Under optimal conditions, whole-body vibration can induce significant drowsiness within 30 min. Low frequency whole-body vibrations, particularly vibrations of 4-10 Hz, are most effective at inducing drowsiness. This review notes some limitations of current studies and suggests directions for future research. CONCLUSIONS This review demonstrated a strong causal link exists between whole-body vibration and driver drowsiness. Since driver drowsiness has been established to be a significant contributor to motor vehicle accidents, research is needed to identify ways to minimise the components of whole-body vibration that contribute to drowsiness, as well as devising more effective ways to counteract drowsiness. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS By raising awareness of the vibrational factors that contribute to drowsiness, manufacturers will be prompted to design vehicles that reduce the influence of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamad Fard
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen R Robinson
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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Zhang X, Yu P, Li Y, Qiu Y, Sun C, Wang Z, Liu C. Dynamic interaction between the human body and the seat during vertical vibration: effect of inclination of the seat pan and the backrest on seat transmissibilities. ERGONOMICS 2022; 65:691-703. [PMID: 34544317 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2021.1983028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seat inclinations at the seat pan and backrest may affect the sitting comfort. This study was designed to quantify the effect of inclination of a seat pan (0°, 10°, and 20°) and backrest (0°, 15°, and 30°), either foamed or rigid, on the transmissibilities measured at the seat pan and backrest. Seat transmissibilities were measured with fifteen subjects exposed to vertical random vibration between 1 and 15 Hz at 0.5 ms-2 r.m.s. It was found the resonance frequencies in transmissibilities measured at the seat pan and backrest increased with increasing the backrest inclination but were not affected by the seat pan angle. Increasing the foamed backrest inclination increased the peak transmissibilities. Inclination of the rigid seat pan or the rigid backrest reduced the transmissibilities measured at the backrest or the seat pan, respectively. Transmissibilities were more significantly affected by the backrest inclination than the seat pan inclination. Practitioner summary: Seat inclinations may alter the human-seat dynamic interaction and hence the riding discomfort. This study was designed to quantify the effect of inclined seats, either foamed or rigid, on the transmissibilities. It was found the backrest angle affected the transmissibilities more strongly than the seat pan angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Zhang
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Peijin Yu
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuejuan Li
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Qiu
- College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Chinaf
| | - Chao Sun
- College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Chinaf
| | - Zunming Wang
- College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Chinaf
| | - Chi Liu
- Vehicle NVH and Refinement, Jaguar Land Rover, Gaydon, United Kingdom
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Wu Y, Kihara K, Takeda Y, Sato T, Akamatsu M, Kitazaki S. Effects of scheduled manual driving on drowsiness and response to take over request: A simulator study towards understanding drivers in automated driving. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2019; 124:202-209. [PMID: 30665055 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Because current automated vehicles have operational limitations, it is important to ensure that the fallback-ready driver is able to perform appropriately when required to take over control of the vehicle. However, time-related increase in driver drowsiness is well-known, and drowsy driving can affect response to take-over request (TOR). It was previously reported that a scheduled period of manual driving during automated driving was beneficial in maintaining driver arousal level. The present driving simulator study investigates the effects of scheduled manual driving on driver drowsiness and performance, as well as age differences therein. A total of 115 participants, whose gender was balanced and age was distributed uniformly from 20 to 70 years, drove an automated vehicle for 31 min, and a TOR was prompted before a collision event. A between-subjects design comprised two conditions: with versus without a scheduled 10-min interval of manual driving that ended 10 min before TOR. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and eyeblink durations estimated from electrooculograms (EOG) were used to subjectively and objectively measure participant's drowsiness. Reaction time, standard deviation of steering wheel angle, and minimum Time-to-Collison (TTC) were extracted to measure driver performance in response to TOR. The alleviating effect on drowsiness of 10-min scheduled manual driving became non-significant after another 10-min period of automated driving. Although the scheduled manual driving had no significant effect for younger drivers, older drivers reacted significantly more slowly in both steering and braking at the critical event. These findings provide essential insights for human-vehicle interactions: Scheduled manual driving cannot maintain drivers' arousal level for 10 min afterwards, and for older drivers, it would be better to avoid unnecessary task-switching between manual and automated driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbin Wu
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan.
| | - Ken Kihara
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
| | - Yuji Takeda
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
| | - Toshihisa Sato
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
| | - Motoyuki Akamatsu
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
| | - Satoshi Kitazaki
- Automotive Human Factors Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
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Zhang N, Fard M, Bhuiyan MHU, Verhagen D, Azari MF, Robinson SR. The effects of physical vibration on heart rate variability as a measure of drowsiness. ERGONOMICS 2018; 61:1259-1272. [PMID: 29871584 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1482373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We investigated the effects of low frequency whole body vibration on heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system activation that differentiates between stress and drowsiness. Fifteen participants underwent two simulated driving tasks for 60 min each: one involved whole-body 4-7 Hz vibration delivered through the car seat, and one involved no vibration. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), a subjective measure of drowsiness, demonstrated a significant increase in drowsiness during the task. Within 15-30 min of exposure to vibration, autonomic (sympathetic) activity increased (p < .01) in response to the stress of maintaining alertness and performance when drowsy, and peaked at 60 min (p < .001). Changes in three other HRV domains [higher LF/HF ratios, lower RMSSD (ms) and pNN50 (%) values] were consistent with increased sympathetic activation. These findings have implications for the future development of equivalent drowsiness contours leading to improvements in road safety. Practitioner summary: The effects of physical vibration on driver drowsiness have not been well investigated. This laboratory-controlled study found characteristic changes in heart rate variability (HRV) domains that indicated progressively increasing neurological effort in maintaining alertness in response to low frequency vibration, which becomes significant within 30 min. ABBREVIATIONS ANS: autonomic nervous system; Ctrl: control; EEG: electroencephalography; HF: the power in high frequency range (0.15 Hz-0.4Hz) in the PSD relected parasympathetic activity only; HRV: heart rate variability; KSS: karolinska sleepiness scale; LF: the power in low frequency range (0.04 Hz-0.15Hz) in the PSD reflected both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system; LF/HF ratio: the ratio of LF to HF indicated the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity; RMSSD: the root mean square of difference of adjacent RR interval; pNN50: the number of successive RR interval pairs that differed by more than 50 ms divided by the total number of RR intervals; RR interval: the differences between successive R-wave occurrence times; PSD: power spectral density; RTP: research training program; SD: standard deviation; SEM: standard error of the Mean; Vib: vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Zhang
- a School of Engineering , RMIT University , Bundoora, Australia
| | - M Fard
- a School of Engineering , RMIT University , Bundoora, Australia
| | - M H U Bhuiyan
- a School of Engineering , RMIT University , Bundoora, Australia
| | - D Verhagen
- b School of Media and Communications , RMIT University , Melbourne, Australia
| | - M F Azari
- c School of Health and Biomedical Sciences , RMIT University , Melbourne, Australia
| | - S R Robinson
- c School of Health and Biomedical Sciences , RMIT University , Melbourne, Australia
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Du BB, Bigelow PL, Wells RP, Davies HW, Hall P, Johnson PW. The impact of different seats and whole-body vibration exposures on truck driver vigilance and discomfort. ERGONOMICS 2018; 61:528-537. [PMID: 28845747 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2017.1372638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory studies have shown that exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) increases physical and mental fatigue, which are common issues professional drivers face. The objective of this study was to determine whether altering WBV exposures had any effect on driver vigilance and discomfort. A repeated measures crossover design of five truck drivers with regular 10-h routes was used. Active and passive suspension truck seats were evaluated. For each seat, WBV exposures were measured. Participants completed a discomfort questionnaire and a reaction time task before and after their shift for two weeks, one week per seat. Compared with the passive seat, the active seat significantly reduced WBV exposures, decrements in the optimal and mean reaction times (p = 0.02, 0.047, respectively), and discomfort in the lower back and wrist(s)/forearm(s) (p < 0.01, 0.01, respectively). Study results indicated that reducing WBV helps reduce discomfort and maintain vigilance, which may improve drivers' health and reduce the risk of truck collisions. Practitioner Summary: The active suspension seat used in this study reduced truck drivers' exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) by over 33% in relation to their current industry standard passive suspension seat. This study demonstrated that reducing truck drivers' exposure to WBV reduced fatigue and discomfort development over a workday.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronson Boi Du
- a Faculty of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health and Health Systems , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Philip L Bigelow
- a Faculty of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health and Health Systems , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Richard P Wells
- b Faculty of Applied Health Science, Department of Kinesiology , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Hugh W Davies
- c School of Population and Public Health , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Peter Hall
- b Faculty of Applied Health Science, Department of Kinesiology , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Peter W Johnson
- d Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA
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