ABSTRACT
Background: The use of face masks in the public and at work became mandatory as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in many countries. Wearing masks under physical work or for a prolonged time may lead to complaints of labored breathing and increased stress. The influence of three types of masks on cardiopulmonary performance was investigated in a randomized cross-over design. Method(s): Forty volunteers (20 women, 19-65 years) underwent bodyplethysmography, spiroergometric and ergometric exercise tests without mask, with a surgical mask, a community mask and a FFP2 mask. Additionally, a 4hour mask wearing period was investigated during regular work (office or laboratory). Cardiopulmonary, physical, capnometric, and blood gas-related parameters were recorded. Result(s): Breathing resistance and work of breathing were increased when wearing a mask. During physical exercise minute ventilation was lower and the breathing cycle time was extended with mask. Wearing a mask caused minimal decreases in blood oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and oxygen saturation (sO2) and an initial slight rise in blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) during exercise. All effects were most pronounced with FFP2. Temperature, humidity, and inspiratory CO2 concentration slightly increased behind the mask. No changes in pO2, sO2, and pCO2 were observed during the 4-hour wearing period at work. Conclusion(s): Wearing face masks at rest and under workload changed the breathing pattern in the sense of physiological compensation. Wearing a mask for 4 hours during light work had no effect on blood gases and no adverse effects were observed throughout all testing.
ABSTRACT
Background: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the subsequent measures by the government were associated with a drastic disruption of the lives of nearly everyone. Vulnerable groups were particularly affected, including pregnant women and mothers in the postpartum period. Objective: The aim of the review was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women and mothers in the postpartum period based on stress, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Furthermore, risk and protective factors that contributed to the development or prevention of postpartum mental illnesses during the pandemic were identified. Methods: A literature search was conducted via PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and Ovid Medline from April to June 2021. Data on anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms, as well as potential risk and protective factors were extracted. Results: A total of 19 relevant studies with 44,709 participants were included. Nearly all studies recorded an increase in anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms during the pandemic. Financial, intrafamilial stressors and concern for the child were identified as risk factors for the development of postpartum mental illnesses during the pandemic. Satisfaction with the couple relationship was apparently protective against stress and depression symptoms. Anxiety symptoms were reduced, for example, by increased levels of physical activity as well as perceived social support. Conclusion: Future studies are recommended to further investigate the risk factors for the development of postpartum mental illnesses. In addition, prevention programs for medical personnel as well as aftercare and therapy programs for affected mothers should be developed in order to prevent severe progression. © 2023, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Hintergrund Die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie und die darauffolgenden Maßnahmen der Regierung waren mit drastischen Einschnitten in das Leben nahezu aller Menschen assoziiert. Betroffen waren v. a. vulnerable Gruppen, darunter schwangere Frauen und Mütter in der postpartalen Phase. Fragestellung Ziel des Reviews war die Untersuchung des Einflusses der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit von schwangeren Frauen und Mütter in der Postpartalzeit anhand von Symptomen bezüglich Stress, Angst, Depression und posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung (PTBS). Weiterhin wurde nach Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren gesucht, die zur Entstehung oder zur Vorbeugung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen während der Pandemie beitragen. Material und Methode Die Literatursuche erfolgte via PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX und Ovid Medline von April bis Juni 2021. Extrahiert wurden Angst‑, Depressions‑, Stress- und PTBS-Symptome sowie potenzielle Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren. Ergebnisse Es wurden 19 relevante Studien mit 44.709 Teilnehmerinnen aufgenommen. Beinahe alle Studien verzeichneten einen Anstieg der Angst‑, Depressions‑, Stress- und PTBS-Symptome während der Pandemie. Finanzielle, intrafamiliäre Stressoren sowie die Sorge um das Kind wurden als Risikofaktor für die Entstehung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen während der Pandemie identifiziert. Die Zufriedenheit mit der Paarbeziehung schützte augenscheinlich vor Stress- und Depressionssymptomen. Angstsymptome wurden u. a. durch ein erhöhtes Ausmaß physischer Aktivität und die wahrgenommene soziale Unterstützung reduziert. Schlussfolgerungen Zukünftigen Untersuchungen wird empfohlen, die Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung postpartaler psychischer Erkrankungen noch genauer zu untersuchen. Zudem sollten Präventionsprogramme für das medizinische Personal sowie Nachsorge- und Therapieprogramme für betroffene Mütter entwickelt werden, um schwere Verläufe zu verhindern.