Improving Worker Health With Wearable Technology in a Power Plant.

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-month intervention using a wearable device and an information and communication technology-based health management system on the health of coal-fired power plant workers. 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. 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). 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.