Background Although previous evidence confirms the effects of sleep deprivation on mental health and wellbeing, due to the interaction effects of sleep and mood on each other, the influence of sleep improvement has received less attention. Objective This study aimed to find whether binaural beat technology can enhance sleep quality and thus post-sleep mood. Methods Twenty healthy students participated in this pilot study. All subjects were investigated for two weeks (a baseline week and an experimental week). In the first week, there was no intervention, but in the second week, all subjects were exposed to a 90 min binaural beat in the delta frequency range. The individuals’ sleep was monitored for two weeks using a sleep diary form, and a Profile of Mood State questionnaire was employed to assess their mood at the end of the first and second weeks. Results Auditory stimulation with delta binaural beat enhanced sleep parameters such as sleep failure, the number of awakenings, real duration of sleep, sleep quality, and feeling following the waking of the individuals. Finally, students’ moods improved by reducing anxiety and anger, but other mood parameters did not indicate a significant difference. Conclusion The findings of this study confirmed that auditory stimulation with a delta binaural beat seems to be a low-cost and alternative method for medicine and other treatment methods with side effects. Application This study demonstrates the use of technology with a neuroergonomics approach to improve sleep and mood disorders.

Objectives: For the purpose of evaluation of exhaled NO as an index of airway inflammation, we assessed changes in fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) across a work shift and its relationship with respiratory complaints. Material and Methods: Chronic and work-aggravated respiratory complaints were assessed using a questionnaire in 89 male textile workers. FeNO and spirometry were performed before and after a work shift and all the changes were registered. Results: A significant increase in FeNO after a work shift was observed. Post-shift FeNO was significantly higher among the subjects with chronic respiratory complaints. There was an obvious decrease in FVC, and FEV 1 after a work shift; however, we couldn't find a significant relationship between changes in respiratory parameters and concentration of inhalable dusts. Conclusions: FeNO increase after a work shift along with pulmonary function decrement and higher post-shift FeNO among subjects with respiratory complaints makes across-shift FeNO a non-invasive test for assessment of airway hyper-responsiveness in textile workers.

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