2017 Volume 16 Pages 1-9
The effects of stretcher transport on the autonomic nervous system and psychological index of passengers were investigated by transporting 40 healthy men and women (average age : 22.1 years old) over a 50 m straight course at two transport speeds (5 and 7 km/hour). Salivary amylase activity, heart rate, low frequency/high frequency of the heart rate variability, amount of palm sweat, electrodermal activity [skin potential level, skin potential response (SPR) ] and respiratory rate were measured as indices of the autonomic nervous system. The tension and anxiety felt by passengers were also measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Significant changes were observed in SPR, respiration rate, and VAS due to transport, and the VAS was higher at 7 km/h than at 5 km/h. The changes in VAS due to transport also showed a positive correlation with the changes in respiratory rate. These observations suggest that the mechanical stresses occurring during transport, such as acceleration and vibration, induced passenger tension and anxiety, which eventually affected respiration. The respiratory rate increased even in healthy adults ; therefore, patients with advanced illnesses should be transported slowly to avoid excessive mechanical stress, and precautions should be taken to reduce tension and anxiety in these patients.
