Improving Worker Health with Wearable Technology in a Power Plant

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-month intervention using a wearable device and an ICT-based (Information and Communication Technology) health management system on the health of coal-fired power plant workers.

Methods: In a single-arm pre-post study, 47 power plant workers participated in a 5-month intervention using a wearable device. Pre- and post-intervention assessments covered cognitive, respiratory, physical functions, and body composition. Changes were analyzed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results: Significant improvements were observed in cognitive processing speed (p = 0.022), respiratory function (p = 0.022), and body composition (p < 0.05). Physical performance, including gait speed and functional strength, showed major enhancements (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Wearable device interventions can effectively improve cognitive, respiratory, physical, and body composition parameters in high-risk industrial workers, representing a viable tool for occupational health promotion.

Keywords: Respiratory function, cognitive performance; occupational health; physical activity; workplace.