Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature

Due to the controversy related to the necessity to wear protective masks and the negative perceptions of users, an attempt was made to analyze the available scientific research on the physiological consequences of wearing various types of masks. The literature review includes publications available...

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Autores principales:	Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska, Elżbieta Gadzicka, Alicja Bortkiewicz
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN PL
Publicado:	Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 2021
Materias:	mental work physical effort protective masks body temperature skin temperature inhaled/exhaled air Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/40bf647d1d3d49cbb29e9937c3edf6ee
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:40bf647d1d3d49cbb29e9937c3edf6ee2021-11-22T11:06:09ZPhysiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature0465-58932353-133910.13075/mp.5893.01107https://doaj.org/article/40bf647d1d3d49cbb29e9937c3edf6ee2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttp://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Koszt-fizjologiczny-noszenia-masek-ochronnych-narracyjny-przeglad-literatury,140062,0,2.htmlhttps://doaj.org/toc/0465-5893https://doaj.org/toc/2353-1339Due to the controversy related to the necessity to wear protective masks and the negative perceptions of users, an attempt was made to analyze the available scientific research on the physiological consequences of wearing various types of masks. The literature review includes publications available in the PubMed bibliographic database, describing symptoms and complaints of mask users (e.g., the feeling of discomfort, fatigue, headaches), different physiological reactions depending on the type of mask (surgical masks, masks with an exhalation valve, with air flow, etc.) as well as the influence of air composition, temperature and humidity in the space under the mask. The impact of using the mask on the ability to exercise (maximal effort, moderate effort) and mental work was outlined. The consequences of wearing masks by people in a different physiological state (pregnancy) were discussed. Proposals for the organization of work were also presented in order to minimize the negative consequences for people wearing masks. The analysis of the presented studies shows that, regardless of the type of masks worn, they can intensify the body’s reactions to a varying degree, increasing the physiological cost of work and worsening the ability to make both physical and mental effort. In addition, the mask can contribute, among others, to more frequent headaches, symptoms of fatigue or the subjective feeling of discomfort. However, despite these adverse effects, the use of masks is important to protect people against harmful factors in the work and communal environments, and during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it has become a necessity. The discomfort of wearing a mask can be reduced by taking appropriate breaks. It should be emphasized that the rhythm of work and breaks in wearing the mask should take into account the individual limitations of the employee. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):569–89Teresa Makowiec-DąbrowskaElżbieta GadzickaAlicja BortkiewiczNofer Institute of Occupational Medicinearticlemental workphysical effortprotective masksbody temperatureskin temperatureinhaled/exhaled airPublic aspects of medicineRA1-1270ENPLMedycyna Pracy, Vol 72, Iss 5, Pp 569-589 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN PL
topic	mental work physical effort protective masks body temperature skin temperature inhaled/exhaled air Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270
spellingShingle	mental work physical effort protective masks body temperature skin temperature inhaled/exhaled air Public aspects of medicine RA1-1270 Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska Elżbieta Gadzicka Alicja Bortkiewicz Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
description	Due to the controversy related to the necessity to wear protective masks and the negative perceptions of users, an attempt was made to analyze the available scientific research on the physiological consequences of wearing various types of masks. The literature review includes publications available in the PubMed bibliographic database, describing symptoms and complaints of mask users (e.g., the feeling of discomfort, fatigue, headaches), different physiological reactions depending on the type of mask (surgical masks, masks with an exhalation valve, with air flow, etc.) as well as the influence of air composition, temperature and humidity in the space under the mask. The impact of using the mask on the ability to exercise (maximal effort, moderate effort) and mental work was outlined. The consequences of wearing masks by people in a different physiological state (pregnancy) were discussed. Proposals for the organization of work were also presented in order to minimize the negative consequences for people wearing masks. The analysis of the presented studies shows that, regardless of the type of masks worn, they can intensify the body’s reactions to a varying degree, increasing the physiological cost of work and worsening the ability to make both physical and mental effort. In addition, the mask can contribute, among others, to more frequent headaches, symptoms of fatigue or the subjective feeling of discomfort. However, despite these adverse effects, the use of masks is important to protect people against harmful factors in the work and communal environments, and during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it has become a necessity. The discomfort of wearing a mask can be reduced by taking appropriate breaks. It should be emphasized that the rhythm of work and breaks in wearing the mask should take into account the individual limitations of the employee. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):569–89
format	article
author	Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska Elżbieta Gadzicka Alicja Bortkiewicz
author_facet	Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska Elżbieta Gadzicka Alicja Bortkiewicz
author_sort	Teresa Makowiec-Dąbrowska
title	Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
title_short	Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
title_full	Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
title_fullStr	Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
title_full_unstemmed	Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
title_sort	physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature
publisher	Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/40bf647d1d3d49cbb29e9937c3edf6ee
work_keys_str_mv	AT teresamakowiecdabrowska physiologicalcostofwearingprotectivemasksanarrativereviewoftheliterature AT elzbietagadzicka physiologicalcostofwearingprotectivemasksanarrativereviewoftheliterature AT alicjabortkiewicz physiologicalcostofwearingprotectivemasksanarrativereviewoftheliterature
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Physiological cost of wearing protective masks – a narrative review of the literature

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