Effects of the physical work environment on physiological measures of stress.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we investigated the effects of the physical work environment on two physiological measures of the stress response.


RESULTS
Circadian variations in vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV) and the morning rise in cortisol were evaluated in 60 participants working in a government building either in a traditional (individual offices and old cubicles; n=40) or a modern workspace (individualized cubicles with improved views and lighting; n=20). Results revealed significant linear (B=-1.03; confidence interval: -1.05 to -1.01, P<0.05) and quadratic (B=1.001; confidence interval: 1.0004-1.002, P<0.05) trends by office type interactions for indices of vagally mediated HRV. Individuals in the old office space had flatter slopes and thus less circadian variation including less HRV at night, and a larger rise in cortisol upon awakening compared with those in the new office space.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that physical features of the work environment may affect two aspects of the physiological stress response: circadian variations in HRV and the morning rise in cortisol. These findings have important social, economic, and public health implications for work environment risk factors on health.
Thayer
Julian F
JF
National Institute of Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Verkuil
Bart
B
Brosschot
Jos F
JF
Kampschroer
Kevin
K
West
Anthony
A
Sterling
Carolyn
C
Christie
Israel C
IC
Abernethy
Darrell R
DR
Sollers
John J
JJ
Cizza
Giovanni
G
Marques
Andrea H
AH
Sternberg
Esther M
EM
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003120:Colorado; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016272:Occupational Health; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D017132:Workplace
D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone
Eur Heart J. 2008 Mar;29(5):640-8
18216031
Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2006 Oct;13(5):695-704
17001207
Soc Sci Med. 2004 Apr;58(8):1523-30
14759695
JAMA. 2007 Oct 10;298(14):1652-60
17925517
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990 Dec;22(6):863-70
2287267
Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):953-62
15364186
Psychosom Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;68(1):159-66
16449427
Int J Cardiol. 2005 Feb 15;98(2):267-70
15686777
Int J Psychophysiol. 2007 Jan;63(1):39-47
17020787
J Appl Psychol. 2002 Apr;87(2):268-79
12002955
Clin Physiol. 2001 May;21(3):365-76
11380537
Circulation. 1996 Dec 1;94(11):2850-5
8941112
Eur Heart J. 1996 Mar;17(3):354-81
8737210
Int J Psychophysiol. 2009 Sep;73(3):212-7
19285108
J Clin Epidemiol. 2007 Nov;60(11):1105-15
17938051
Psychosom Med. 2004 Jan-Feb;66(1):56-62
14747638
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2005 Aug;30(7):698-714
15854786
Psychosom Med. 2007 Dec;69(9):901-9
17991822
Science. 1984 Apr 27;224(4647):420-1
6143402
Scand J Work Environ Health. 2004 Apr;30(2):85-128
15127782