Affective State and Corresponding Psychophysiological Findings of Healthcare Workers in Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Screening Centers
- Author:
Soo-Jong CHOI
1
;
Bo-Hyun YOON
;
Hyunju YUN
;
Kyungmin KIM
;
Yuran JEONG
;
Hangoeunbi KANG
;
Jye-Heon SONG
;
Young-Hwa SEA
;
Suhee PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Mood and Emotion 2023;21(3):61-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:This study explores the impact of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers in COVID-19 Screening Centers, focusing on anxiety and depression and their psychophysiological findings.
Methods:The research involved 610 healthcare workers in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, South Korea, from March to November 2022. Self-reported questionnaires and psychophysiological measurements using Neuronicle FX2 (Omnifitmindcare ® ) were employed.
Results:Among 610 participants (107 males, 503 females), the high-risk anxiety group (60 individuals, 15 males and 45 females) and high-risk depression group (79 individuals, 19 males and 60 females) showed elevated physical symptoms compared to the normal group. The high-risk anxiety group exhibited lower mean r-r intervals, higher heart rate per minute, greater stress index, and lower vigor index. For electroencephalogram (EEG) measures, the high-risk anxiety group showed higher brain activity, lower alpha asymmetry, reduced total theta power, and higher beta/theta (left, right, total) ratios. The high-risk depression group showed significantly lower alpha asymmetry in EEG.
Conclusion:This study explored anxiety and depression prevalence among healthcare workers in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region at COVID-19 testing centers. Correlations between mental states and physical symptoms were observed, emphasizing the potential of EEG and heart rate variability as physiological indicators in psychiatric evaluations during the pandemic.
