Traffic noise and mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftÜbersichtsartikel (Review)BeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that traffic noise may negatively impact mental health. However, existing systematic reviews provide an incomplete overview of the effects of all traffic noise sources on mental health. We conducted a systematic literature search and summarized the evidence for road, railway, or aircraft noise-related risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia among adults. We included 31 studies (26 on depression and/or anxiety disorders, 5 on dementia). The meta-analysis of five aircraft noise studies found that depression risk increased significantly by 12% per 10 dB LDEN (Effect Size = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.23). The meta-analyses of road (11 studies) and railway traffic noise (3 studies) indicated 2–3% (not statistically significant) increases in depression risk per 10 dB LDEN. Results for road traffic noise related anxiety were similar. We did not find enough studies to meta-analyze anxiety and railway or aircraft noise, and dementia/ cognitive impairment and any traffic noise. In conclusion, aircraft noise exposure increases the risk for depression. Otherwise, we did not detect statistically significant risk increases due to road and railway traffic noise or for anxiety. More research on the association of cognitive disorders and traffic noise is required. Public policies to reduce environmental traffic noise might not only increase wellness (by reducing noise-induced annoyance), but might contribute to the prevention of depression and anxiety disorders.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer6175
Seiten (von - bis)1-26
Seitenumfang26
FachzeitschriftInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Jahrgang17
Ausgabenummer17
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 1 Sept. 2020
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 32854453
ORCID /0000-0001-7668-4734/work/158767345

Schlagworte

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

Schlagwörter

  • Aircraft noise, Anxiety, Cognition disorders, Depression, Disruptive behavior disorders, Noise, Noise pollution, Psychology, Railway noise, Road traffic noise, Traffic noise, Transportation