Healthy Adult
Conditions
Keywords
Personal protective equipment, physiological parameters, biosensor, first responder
Brief summary
The purpose of this pilot study is to improve protection of first responders in case of biological disasters (e.g., pandemics, biotoxin incidents). For this goal we will compare two different kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used for a variety of exercises simulating activities of first responders in the field at two different environmental temperature profiles in a randomized cross-over study design. The goal is to find the best possible compromise between protection and ergonomics as well as to determine potential factors that might limit the performance of first responders while wearing PPE. This should provide guidance for future improvement of PPE and how biosensors for monitoring heart rate and body temperature in combination with AI models may reduce risk for first responders in the field.
Detailed description
During three cycles of simulated work physiological parameters such as heart rate, body temperature and fluid loss as well as fine motor skills, error rate and reaction time will be monitored, complemented with a questionnaire on comfort and wellbeing after each cycle.
Interventions
OTHERCategory III PPE suit "COMAT (Matisec, France)"
3 cycles of 6 different tasks at 2 different temperatures will be performed wearing the following Category III PPE suit: COMAT from Matisec, France. This suit will be worn with a face mask (Draeger) equipped with a P3 filter, as well as rubber boots and 2 layers of nitrile gloves.
OTHERCategory III PPE Suit "EBO-10 (EGO, Czech Republic)"
3 cycles of 6 different tasks at 2 different temperatures will be performed wearing the following Category III PPE suit: EBO-10 from EGO, Czech Republic. This suit is a full body ventilated suit with powered air purifying respirators, and will be worn with rubber boots and 2 layers of nitrile gloves.
Sponsors
Medical University of Graz
European Union
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Each participant will test 2 different Category III PPE suits in random order at two different temperatures (20-24°C and at 30-34°C).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
The study will be open to employees or students of: * the KAGES hospital, Graz, Austria * the Medical University of Graz (Med Uni Graz), Austria * the University of Graz, Austria * the Red Cross * the Police * Fire brigade of the city of Graz
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnancy, allergy against latex or PVC, claustrophobia, acute infection, thrombophilia * Chronic illnesses (not treated) such as asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and epilepsy, * Participation in another study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight | Baseline and at completion/termination (max. 6 hours after start) | Mean change in body weight (kg) after completion/termination of the test |
| Heart rate | Baseline, continuously during the test, and after completion of test (max 6 hours) | Heart rate is measured using a blood pressure cuff before and after the test, as well as using sensors strapped next to the skin during the test. |
| Blood pressure | Baseline and after completion of test (max 6 hours) | Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff. |
| Weight of Category III PPE suit | Baseline and after completion of test (max 6 hours) | Weight of suit in kg at before and after the test to assess fluid loss. |
| Body temperature | Baseline, during the test, and after completion of test (max 6 hours) | Body temperature in °C is measured using an in-ear thermometer before and after the test, as well as using sensors next to the skin during the test. |
| Humidity | For the duration of the test (max 6 hours) | Humidity is measured using sensors next to the skin. |
| Mean reaction time | 10 minutes | Reaction time is measured using the ReactionX app, with 4 sensors that light up intermittently. |
| Semi-quantitative questionnaire on subjective wellbeing | 5 min | The questionnaire uses a scale of 0-10 and is the last task in each of the 3 cycles of 6 tasks. |
| Resilience scale questionnaire RS-13 | 5 min | The internationally standardized questionnaire assesses psychological stress level, using a scale of 0-7 (do not agree - completely agree). It is completed before starting the test, and after completion or termination of test (after max 6 hours). |
| Error rate | Max 20 min | Error rate is assessed by matching coloured and numbered caps to matching tubes and sorting them into predefined positions into a 81-position sample box. Number of errors is documented. |
| Fine motor skills | Max 20 min | Fine motor skills are assessed by matching coloured and numbered caps to matching tubes and sorting them into predefined positions in an 81-position sample box. Time needed to complete the task is documented. |
Countries
Austria
Contacts
CONTACTKurt Zatloukal, Dr. med.
CONTACTJulia Kircher
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKurt Zatloukal
Med Uni Graz
Outcome results
None listed