Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

en The Effect of Co-Exposure to Heat Stress and Whole-Body Vibration on Auditory-Visual Attention and Reaction Time in a Laboratory Setting Occupational Health Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: WBV and heat stress are important hazardous agents, which can affect the people’s cognitive function. The present study aimted to explore the effect of co-exposure to heat stress and WBV on auditory-visual attention and reaction time in a laboratory setting.  Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 32 consenting male students chosen from the university in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The participants were required to complete the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in order to determine their state of health. The Ishihara color blind test was performed afterward. Heat stress exposure was exerted at a WBGT index of 22, 29, and 34 °C, with 22 °C as the control condition. WBV was applied at 0.53, 0.81, and 1.12 m/s2, as well as a no WBV exposure condition (the control), making a total of 12 different exposure modes. The reaction times and auditory-visual attention of the subjects were measured via the IVA test. Further, the individuals’ heart rate was recorded by a digital heart rate monitor. Results: Elevation of WBV acceleration and WBGT from 29°C to 34°C independently caused a significant reduction in auditory-visual attention, as well as a significant rise in reaction times. Co-exposure to WBV and heat stress significantly affected auditory-visual attention and reaction time (p<0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, WBV and heat stress are two influential factors on cognitive performance which can reduce concentration and attention devoted to work.</div> Heat Stress,Vibration,Cognitive Test,Attention,Reaction Times, 49 60 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-679-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Elham Akhlaghi Pirposhteh 22400319475328460010500 22400319475328460010500 No Ph.D. Student in Occupational Health Engineering, Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Javad Jafari 22400319475328460010501 22400319475328460010501 No Professor, Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center (SPIPRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Somayeh Farhang Dehghan 22400319475328460010502 22400319475328460010502 No Associate Prof., Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Salehzadeh 22400319475328460010503 22400319475328460010503 No Bachelor of Software Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran Saeid Ghaffari saeedghafary20@gmail.com 22400319475328460010504 22400319475328460010504 Yes M.Sc. in Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Daneshjoo Blvd, Velenjak, Shahid Chamran Highway, Tehran, Iran.