Attenuated Cardiovascular Reactivity to Acute Psychological Stress Predicts Future Fatigue Symptoms in Truck Drivers. Issue 3 (27th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guest, Amber J.; Clemes, Stacy A.; King, James A.; Chen, Yu-Ling; Ruettger, Katharina; Sayyah, Mohsen; Sherry, Aron; Varela-Mato, Veronica; Paine, Nicola J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 65:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 234
• Publication Date: 2023-03-27
• Subjects: cardiovascular stress -- fatigue -- psychological stress -- stress reactivity -- truck drivers; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Our study demonstrated attenuated cardiovascular reactivity is predictive of future fatigue in truck drivers, who are a safety critical workforce. Attenuated responses to stress may have negative consequences for health and for driving safety, and cardiovascular stress reactivity could identify drivers who may be at heightened risk for developing fatigue. Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 6-month health intervention on truck drivers' cardiovascular reactivity to stress and whether cardiovascular reactivity was predictive of depression, anxiety, or fatigue symptoms at 6-month follow-up. Methods: Two hundred thirty-eight truck drivers completed a 6-month cluster randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity and completed a stress protocol (Stroop and mirror-tracing tasks) with measurements of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure taken, alongside fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms assessment. Measures were taken at 0 and 6 months. Results: Analyses showed a negative relationship between 0-month diastolic blood pressure reactivity and 6-month persistent fatigue. Trends toward negative relationships between systolic blood pressure reactivity and future anxiety and fatigue symptoms at 6 months were evident. Conclusions: Our findings may have serious implications, as fatigue can be a major cause of road traffic collisions in truck drivers.