Study of Anxiety Levels and Sleep Quality in Workers Exposed to Whole Body Vibration: A Case Study in a Foundry Industry

Occupational exposure to vibration can significantly contribute to the development of issues such as anxiety and sleep disorders among workers. Chronic exposure to vibration can induce damage to the peripheral nervous system, which is considered a significant risk factor for symptoms associated with the nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of anxiety and sleep quality in workers exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) in a foundry industry. Additionally, the study examined the effect of occupational exposure to WBV on general health and the impact of demographic parameters on the level of anxiety, sleep quality, and general health of workers.

The population studied included all active workers in the casting section of an auto parts manufacturing industry who were exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV). The inclusion of subjects was based on the calculations related to the sample size, taking into account the inclusion criteria and the completion of the consent form (n = 162). All participants were required to fill out the demographic information worksheet, general health questionnaire, Spielberger anxiety questionnaire, and Petersburg sleep quality questionnaire. The measurement of WBV, in accordance with the ISO 2631 standard, was conducted at the body-device contact point using a calibrated vibration meter. The effect of exposure to vibration on the studied parameters was determined through univariate analysis of variance.

The mean exposure level of WBV acceleration (65.65±1.0 m/s²) was higher than the occupational exposure limit (0.87 m/s²) (P = 0.001). About 33% of the participants experienced a severe level of State, and the effect of exposure to WBV on it was incremental and statistically significant (P=0.031, B=1/600). The mean score of the sleep quality questionnaire (15.36±9.80) indicates that the sleep quality of the study participants was poor. The effect of exposure to WBV on the score of inappropriate sleep quality was found to be increased and statistically significant (B=0.050, P=0.990). The mean score of the general health of the people (47.80±13.31) indicates a lack of overall health among the participants. The effect of WBV exposure on the general health disorder score was found to be incremental and not statistically significant (B=0.650, P=0.080). There was no significant effect of demographic parameters on the scores of the studied questionnaires.

The effect of WBV exposure on State and Trait level scores is incremental and statistically significant for State one. The effect of WBV exposure on the score of inadequate sleep quality was found to be incremental and statistically significant. The effect of WBV exposure on the general health disorder score was not statistically significant.