Comparison of Effects of N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks to Physiological and Psychological Health among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Che-Yu Su, Chiung-Yu Peng, Hsin-Liang Liu, I-Jeng Yeh and Chi-Wei Lee
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Che-Yu Su: Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
Chiung-Yu Peng: Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
Hsin-Liang Liu: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
I-Jeng Yeh: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
Chi-Wei Lee: Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, wearing facemasks has become more important for healthcare workers. This study aimed to investigate and compare the influence of wearing N95 respirators and surgical masks for 8 h on physiological and psychological health. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were randomly assigned to the N95 respirator or surgical mask groups. Physiological parameters of participants were measured by Tensor Tip MTX at baseline and at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th h of wearing the facemasks. The symptoms after wearing facemasks were also determined via the questionnaire. There were no significant changes in physiological parameters at most time checkpoints in both groups. Significant differences were observed in terms of heart rate at the 8th h, time trends (adjusted difference of least squares means were −8.53 and −2.01), and interaction of time and mask type between the two groups ( p -value for interaction was 0.0146). The values of these physiological parameters were within normal ranges. The N95 respirator group had significantly higher incidences of shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, difficulty talking and fatigue that spontaneously resolved. In conclusion, healthcare workers who wore either N95 respirators or surgical masks during an 8 h shift had no obvious harmful effects on physiological and psychological health. Additionally, the N95 respirator group did not show a higher risk than the surgical mask group.

Keywords: N95 respirator; physiological parameters; psychological health; healthcare workers; Tensor Tip MTX device (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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