Yuliang Lan1, Hannah Roberts2, Mei-Po Kwan3, Marco Helbich2. 1. Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Electronic address: y.lan@uu.nl. 2. Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Department of Geography and Resource Management and Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to transportation noise is hypothesized to contribute to anxiety, but consistent associations have not been established. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive synthesis of the literature by examining associations between traffic-related noise (i.e., road traffic noise, railway noise, aircraft noise and mixed traffic noise) and anxiety. METHODS: We systematically searched Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO for English-language observational studies published up to February 2020 reporting on the traffic noise-anxiety association. We appraised the risk of bias using an assessment tool and the quality of evidence following established guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for pooled and separated traffic-related noise sources. RESULTS: Of the 3575 studies identified, 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 9 studies were appropriate for meta-analysis. For the pooled overall effect size between transport noise and anxiety, we found 9% higher odds of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day-evening-night noise level (Lden), with moderate heterogeneity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: [0.97; 1.23], I2 = 70%). The association was more likely to be significant with more severe anxiety (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: [1.01; 1.15], I2 = 48%). Sub-group analysis revealed that the effects of different noise sources on anxiety were inconsistent and insignificant. The quality of evidence was rated as very low to low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis of an association between traffic noise and more severe anxiety. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm associations between different noise types and anxiety, as well as to better understand underlying mechanisms.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to transportation noise is hypothesized to contribute to anxiety, but consistent associations have not been established. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive synthesis of the literature by examining associations between traffic-related noise (i.e., road traffic noise, railway noise, aircraft noise and mixed traffic noise) and anxiety. METHODS: We systematically searched Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO for English-language observational studies published up to February 2020 reporting on the traffic noise-anxiety association. We appraised the risk of bias using an assessment tool and the quality of evidence following established guidelines. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for pooled and separated traffic-related noise sources. RESULTS: Of the 3575 studies identified, 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 9 studies were appropriate for meta-analysis. For the pooled overall effect size between transport noise and anxiety, we found 9% higher odds of anxiety associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day-evening-night noise level (Lden), with moderate heterogeneity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: [0.97; 1.23], I2 = 70%). The association was more likely to be significant with more severe anxiety (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: [1.01; 1.15], I2 = 48%). Sub-group analysis revealed that the effects of different noise sources on anxiety were inconsistent and insignificant. The quality of evidence was rated as very low to low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis of an association between traffic noise and more severe anxiety. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm associations between different noise types and anxiety, as well as to better understand underlying mechanisms.
Authors: Stephen Stansfeld; Charlotte Clark; Melanie Smuk; John Gallacher; Wolfgang Babisch Journal: Environ Health Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Xiangpu Gong; Benjamin Fenech; Claire Blackmore; Yingxin Chen; Georgia Rodgers; John Gulliver; Anna L Hansell Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-25 Impact factor: 3.390