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The short-term association between exposure to noise and heart rate variability in daily locations and mobility contexts

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 30, pages 383–393 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Personal exposure to noise has been shown to be associated with concomitant increases and lagged decreases of short-term heart rate variability (HRV). It is however unknown whether this association differs between contexts defined by visited places or mobility as both exposure sources and expectations may be different between these contexts.

Method

Between July 2014 and June 2015, the RECORD MultiSensor Study collected sound level and heart rate data for 75 participants, aged 34–74 years, in their living environments for 7 days using a personal dosimeter and electrocardiography sensor on the chest. Their whereabouts were collected using a GPS receiver and a mobility survey. Short-term concomitant and lagged associations between sound level and HRV parameters were assessed within types of visited places and transport modes using mixed effects models with a random intercept for participants.

Results

Increases in sound level were associated with a concomitant increase in all HR/HRV parameters, and delayed decreases in the overall HRV. Interactions between the sound level and the visited place/mobility context were documented. Compared with home, the concomitant association of sound level with HR and rMSSD was doubled within active and private-motorized transport modes, respectively.

Conclusions

The association of sound level with HR/HRV varies between visited places/mobility contexts. Future studies investigating these context-dependent associations in ambulatory settings will need to assess additional acoustical factors relating to the visited environments as well as non-acoustical factors impacting the perception of noise.

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Acknowledgements

The RECORD MultiSensor Study was supported by the Ministry of Ecology (DGITM); Cerema (Centre for the Study of and Expertise on Risks, the Environment, Mobility, and Planning); INPES (National Institute for Prevention and Health Education); STIF (Ile-de-France Transportation Authority); and DRIEA (Regional and Interdepartmental Direction of Equipment and Planning) of Ile-de-France.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, F75012, Paris, France

    Tarik El Aarbaoui & Basile Chaix

  2. EHESP School of Public Health, Rennes, France

    Tarik El Aarbaoui

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  1. Tarik El Aarbaoui
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Correspondence to Tarik El Aarbaoui.

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El Aarbaoui, T., Chaix, B. The short-term association between exposure to noise and heart rate variability in daily locations and mobility contexts. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 30, 383–393 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0158-x

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