HEALTH NEWS
Health News and Notes
Study: “Tranquil” virtual reality experience lowers stress in frontline healthcare workers Researchers found that brief sessions of virtual reality stimulation helped frontline healthcare workers reduce stress in the short term. According to the journal PLOS ONE, researchers from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, OhioHealth Healthcare Organization and Ohio University piloted a three-minute Tranquil Cinematic-VR simulation of a nature scene to lower subjective stress among frontline healthcare workers in COVID-19 treatment units. They chose to film a nature scene “because of the extensive empirical literature documenting the benefits of nature exposure and health,” according to the research article, and 102 individuals participated in the study. Among the study participants, 82.4% participants provided direct 52
April 2022
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patient care. Post-simulation, researchers observed a significant reduction in subjective stress scores from pre- to post-simulation, and only four participants met the cutoff for high stress after the simulation. Post-simulations scores did not differ by provider type, age range, gender, or prior experience with virtual reality.
Music is good for the heart As part of a collaboration with music streaming service Pandora, the American Heart Association had a station takeover of Pandora’s Dance Cardio Radio during February in recognition of American Heart Month. Three Modes featuring specially curated tracks by Pandora were available for the month of February: Reclaim Your Heart: Surviving and Thriving, featuring the anthems of the 2022 Go Red for Women Real Women Class, national volunteers for the American Heart
Association, each with a unique heart or brain health journey; Reclaim Your Day, featuring celebrated Black artists in recognition of Black History Month; Reclaim Your Beat, featuring music you can dance to, groove to, and keep the beat, 100 to 120 bpm, for Hands-Only CPR. “Curating a personal playlist can help reclaim rhythm, whether it’s cardio, meditative, or a soundtrack for resting,” the AHS said in a release. Additionally, the AHS recommended five other ways to create heart healthy habits: ʯ Mellow out and reduce stress: “Stress can lead to depression or anxiety, as well as unhealthy habits like overeating, physical inactivity, smoking and risk factors for heart disease and stroke like high blood pressure.”
