Professional Users Research Articles

Developing mHealth to the Context and Valuation of Injured Patients and Professionals in Hospital Trauma Care: Qualitative and Quantitative Formative Evaluations.

BackgroundTrauma care faces challenges to innovating their services, such as with mobile health (mHealth) app, to improve the quality of care and patients’ health experience. Systematic needs inquiries and collaborations with professional and patient end users are highly recommended to develop and prepare future implementations of such innovations.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a trauma mHealth app for patient information and support in accordance with the Center for eHealth Research and Disease Management road map and describe experiences of unmet information and support needs among injured patients with trauma, barriers to and facilitators of the provision of information and support among trauma care professionals, and drivers of value of an mHealth app in patients with trauma and trauma care professionals.MethodsFormative evaluations were conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods. Ten semistructured interviews with patients with trauma and a focus group with 4 trauma care professionals were conducted for contextual inquiry and value specification. User requirements and value drivers were applied in prototyping. Furthermore, a complementary quantitative discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted with 109 Dutch trauma surgeons, which enabled triangulation on value specification results. In the DCE, preferences were stated for hypothetical mHealth products with various attributes. Panel data from the DCE were analyzed using conditional and mixed logit models.ResultsPatients disclosed a need for more psychosocial support and easy access to more extensive information on their injury, its consequences, and future prospects. Health care professionals designated workload as an essential issue; a digital solution should not require additional time. The conditional logit model of DCE results suggested that access to patient app data through electronic medical record integration (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95% CI 2.55-4.34; P<.001) or a web viewer (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.64-3.31; P<.001) was considered the most important for an mHealth solution by surgeons, followed by the inclusion of periodic self-measurements (OR 2, 95% CI 1.64-2.46; P<.001), the local adjustment of patient information (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.42-2.33; P<.001), local hospital identification (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.31-2.10; P<.001), complication detection (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.21-1.84; P<.001), and the personalization of rehabilitation through artificial intelligence (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.13-1.62; P=.001).ConclusionsIn the context of trauma care, end users have many requirements for an mHealth solution that addresses psychosocial functioning; dependable information; and, possibly, a prediction of how a patient’s recovery trajectory is evolving. A structured development approach provided insights into value drivers and facilitated mHealth prototype enhancement. The findings imply that iterative development should move on from simple and easily implementable mHealth solutions to those that are suitable for broader innovations of care pathways that most—but plausibly not yet all—end users in trauma care will value. This study could inspire the trauma care community.

Key audit matters and debt contracting: evidence from China

PurposeIn an effort to make audit reports more informative to users, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board adopted a standard that requires auditors to disclose key audit matters (KAMs). This paper aims to explore the impact of the risk information provided by KAMs on corporate debt contracting.Design/methodology/approachIn China, the KAM standard went into effect for A + H cross-listing companies in 2017 and became mandatory for all listed companies in 2018. This study takes this as an exogenous shock to examine the impact of the KAM disclosures on debt contracting. This study also designs a path analysis to open the “black box” between the risk information in KAMs and the risk perception of creditors. Moreover, This study conducts a textual analysis on the KAMs information based on samples after the release of the KAM standard.FindingsThis study conducts difference-in-difference tests and find that the KAM disclosures decrease interest rates and increase the proportion of long-term debt. Path analyses reveal that the KAM disclosures lead to more favorable debt characteristics through decreasing information asymmetry. This study also finds that the more KAMs are disclosed, the more favorable debt characteristics are and that different categories of KAMs have different effects on debt contracting.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the benefits of KAM disclosures, which are consistent with the convergence argument of risk information disclosures. Investors’ reactions to KAMs are mixed because of the differences in how professional investors and nonprofessional investors interpret information. This study provides evidence of incrementally informative nature of KAMs from the perspective of debt holders, who are professional information users.

Voice Recognition and Evaluation of Vocal Music Based on Neural Network.

Artistic voice is the artistic life of professional voice users. In the process of selecting and cultivating artistic performing talents, the evaluation of voice even occupies a very important position. Therefore, an appropriate evaluation of the artistic voice is crucial. With the development of art education, how to scientifically evaluate artistic voice training methods and fairly select artistic voice talents is an urgent need for objective evaluation of artistic voice. The current evaluation methods for artistic voices are time-consuming, laborious, and highly subjective. In the objective evaluation of artistic voice, the selection of evaluation acoustic parameters is very important. Attempt to extract the average energy, average frequency error, and average range error of singing voice by using speech analysis technology as the objective evaluation acoustic parameters, use neural network method to objectively evaluate the singing quality of artistic voice, and compare with the subjective evaluation of senior professional teachers. In this paper, voice analysis technology is used to extract the first formant, third formant, fundamental frequency, sound range, fundamental frequency perturbation, first formant perturbation, third formant perturbation, and average energy of singing acoustic parameters. By using BP neural network methods, the quality of singing was evaluated objectively and compared with the subjective evaluation of senior vocal professional teachers. The results show that the BP neural network method can accurately and objectively evaluate the quality of singing voice by using the evaluation parameters, which is helpful in scientifically guiding the selection and training of artistic voice talents.

The effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgery on nasal resonance.

Background and objectiveFunctional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) increases the nasal volume, and thereby it can alter the nasal resonance. The objectives were to measure the percentage of nasal resonance following FESS and compare it with healthy individuals with normal nasal findings.MethodsThe nasometric analysis of voice was done using n/p/m consonant sounds in 72 individuals with healthy post FESS cavities (group 1) and 72 healthy individuals with normal nasal findings without any nasal pathology (group 2). The scores of nasal resonances were expressed in percentages and were compared between the two groups. Both in group 1 and group 2, 32 (44.4%) were females, and 40(55.6%) were males. In group 1, 51 participants had bilateral FESS cavities, and 21 had unilateral FESS cavities. Kannada was the mother tongue in 30 (41.7%) participants in group 1 and 36 (50.0%) in group 2. Malayalam was the mother tongue in 42(58.3%) participants in group 1 and 36 (50.0%) in group 2.ResultsIn both cases and control groups, more than 80% of the participants were showing less than 20% of nasal resonance. In group 1, the mean values of/n/p/m sounds were 11.23%, 10.23% and 11.42% respectively, and in group 2 the mean values were 8.27%, 8.58% and 8.58% respectively. But the P value was not statistically significant. Individuals with unilateral FESS cavities had more nasal resonance values compared to bilateral FESS cavities. Similarly, Kannada speaking people had more values compared to Malayam speaking individua.ConclusionChanges in nasal resonance after FESS is minimal, and it is unnoticed. But it may affect the speech quality in professional voice users, depending on their language. Though the nasometer is considered as the most validated instrument to record nasal resonance, we feel that further standardization is needed to evaluate the nasalance.

A Study of Voice Handicap and Acoustic Measures in Arab Kuwaiti Prospective Professional Singers

Introduction: Despite its clinical significance, few studies have explored the applicability of the validated Arabic version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-Arab) in professional voice users, especially singers. The correlation between VHI-Arab scores and acoustic measures in this targeted group remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore Arab Kuwaiti prospective professional singers’ perception of voice handicap using the validated VHI-Arab. Additionally, we examined the association between VHI-Arab scores and acoustic measures such as fundamental frequency (F0), shimmer, jitter, and signal-to-noise ratio. Methods: VHI-Arab scores and acoustic measures of 100 adult prospective professional singers (50 females and 50 males) were compared with those of 100 adult controls (50 females and 50 males). Results: Female prospective professional singers differed significantly from female controls in terms of functional and physical subscale scores, total VHI-Arab scores, and shimmer and jitter values. Male prospective professional singers showed significant differences neither in VHI-Arab scores nor in acoustic measures; however, their shimmer values showed significant a difference. There was no correlation between VHI-Arab scores and acoustic measures. Conclusion: Kuwaiti prospective professional singers did not perceive their voice as handicapped. Female prospective professional singers had a better perception of their voice compared with female controls. The results of the current study suggest that the perception of voice handicap and acoustic measures are different attributes that do not correlate.

Reviewer information and advertisement format: impact on watching a new movie release

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the association of information technology and non-information technology reviewer information and advertisement format, and also demographics and theory of planned behavior variables for watching a new movie release.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 809 college students about various advertisement topics of traditional media/print, Internet, social media, and both print and online reviews.FindingsFor advertising, outdoor billboards and YouTube video were each positively associated with watching a new movie release while reviewer information of critic reviews in print, critic reviews online, and user reviewers were each not associated with watching a new movie release. For race/ethnicity, Hispanics were positively associated with watching a new movie release while South Asians were negatively associated with watching a new movie release. For theory of planned behavior variables, behavioral control and intentions were each positively associated with watching a new movie release.Practical implicationsIn conclusion, movie production companies should dedicate large portions of their advertising budget to YouTube and outdoor billboard advertising. Also, movie production companies should continue to advertise and possibly even tailor advertising to Hispanics.Originality/valueThis is the first study for watching a new movie release to simultaneously include predictors of advertisement format including from many types of social media platforms, reviewer information whether from professional critics or user reviews, and the theory of planned behavior.

Effective use of storyboarding as a co-design method to enhance power assisted exercise equipment for people with stroke

Power assisted exercise equipment designed to assist multi-directional movements represent an exercise solution for people with stroke. Users identified digitization of the equipment through a new Graphical User Interface (GUI) to display feedback on exercise performance as a development priority. The Medical Device Technology (MDT) framework was adopted to structure the four-stage digitization programme and ensure meaningful user involvement. This paper reports on stage two of the digitization programme, the aim of which was to create a prototype GUI. Storyboarding followed by participatory data analysis was selected as a co-design method to engage professional (n = 6) and expert (n = 8) end users to create artefacts and express preferences relevant to the design of the GUI. Four overarching themes emerged from thematic analysis of the data; (a) aesthetic format, (b) functional features, (c) exercise programme, (d) motivation and reward. The data was crystallized with external sources to generate a design criterion matrix which directed the first iteration of the prototype GUI. Storyboarding with participatory analysis was an effective method for engaging participants in the design of the GUI and associated user experience. This paper represents a novel application of storyboarding to the MDT framework in user centred digital design.

Improving emergency treatment for patients with acute stroke: the PEARS research programme, including the PASTA cluster RCT

Improving emergency treatment for patients with acute stroke: the PEARS research programme, including the PASTA cluster RCT

A Cross-Sectional Study of Acoustic and Perceptual Changes in Voice During Pregnancy

Introduction: Voice is one of the many systems which may show deviancies during pregnancy. The present study aimed to profile the acoustic and perceptual characteristics of voice during pregnancy. Methods: Pregnant women in the age range of 18-30 years were divided into seven groups starting from the third month of pregnancy to the ninth month of pregnancy, with 30 participants in each group. Praat software was used to collect the phonation and narration sample from each participant at their most comfortable pitch and loudness. The acoustic and perceptual analyses were performed on recorded voice samples. Results: Results revealed that fundamental frequency (F0) is affected by the 6th month of pregnancy until the 9th month of pregnancy. However, jitter and shimmer abnormalities are evident from the 3rd month of pregnancy. The results of the perceptual analysis indicated the presence of roughness and breathiness from the third month of pregnancy until the 9th month of pregnancy. Discussion: The results indicated that fundamental frequency (F0) was affected by the 6th month of pregnancy and continued until the 9th month of pregnancy. The jitter and shimmer abnormalities were evident from the 3rd month of pregnancy. These findings were further supported by perceptual deviations on the Grade Roughness Breathiness Asthenia Strain (GRBAS) scale. Conclusions: These findings are of value for a pregnant woman who is sensitive to the vocal deviations and also for a professional voice user as they are more prone to voice changes or disorders due to their extensive voice usage.

Operational Evaluation of a Wildfire Air Quality Model from a Forecaster Point of View

Abstract An evaluation of an operational wildfire air quality model (WFAQM) has been performed. Evaluation metrics were chosen through an analysis of interviews and a survey of professionals who use WFAQM forecasts as part of their daily responsibilities. The survey revealed that professional users generally focus on whether forecast air quality will exceed thresholds that trigger local air quality advisories (e.g., an event), their analysis scale is their region of responsibility, they are interested in short-term (≈24 h) guidance, missing an event is worse than issuing a false alarm, and there are two types of users—one that takes the forecast at face value, and the other that uses it as one of several information sources. Guided by these findings, model performance of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s current operational WFAQM (FireWork) was assessed over western Canada during three (2016–18) summer (May–September) wildfire seasons. Evaluation was performed at the geographic scale at which individual forecasts are issued (the forecast region) using gridded particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) fields developed from a machine learning–based downscaling of satellite and meteorological data. For the “at face value” user group, model performance was measured using the Peirce skill score. For the “as information source” user group, model performance was measured using the divergence skill score. For this metric, forecasts were first converted to event probabilities using binomial regression. We find when forecasts are taken at face value, FireWork cannot outperform a nearest-neighbor-based persistence model. However, when forecasts are considered as an information source, FireWork is superior to the persistence-based model.

3D Structure from 2D Dimensional Images Using Structure from Motion Algorithms

Natural disasters and human interference have endangered heritage structures around the world. Therefore, 3D modeling of buildings is important for historical preservation, particularly in low-income and war-affected countries. The majority of 3D structure surveying acquisition approaches, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), total station measurements, or traditional photogrammetry require either high-cost technologies or professional user supervision. Structure from motion (SfM) approaches address both of these issues by allowing a non-expert user to produce a dense point cloud for real structures by taking a few 2D photographs with a digital camera and processing them with highly automated and freely available data processing tools. The state of the art for the SfM technique is presented in this paper. Agisoft Metashape, VisualSFM, and Regard3D, three well-known types of SfM software, were examined and compared. The 3D point cloud was scaled and transformed into a local coordinates system using total station instruments that were used to obtain some ground control points (GCPs). Ninety-six 2D digital photographs for the historical Emara Palace in Najran, Saudi Arabia, were obtained as data input, and the image matching, bundle adjustment (BA), completeness, and accuracy of three used packages were calculated and compared.

Developing a Vocal Manual Therapy Intervention for the Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Professional Voice Users: A Pilot Study of Two Elite Singers

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) can be extremely debilitating for singers. This pilot study describes a vocal manual therapy intervention that may have a potential to address LPR symptoms. It is a preliminary study, suggesting that they study provides a foundation for future work investigating nonpharmacological intervention strategies for singers with LPR.

Rapid molecular tests for tuberculosis and tuberculosis drug resistance: a qualitative evidence synthesis of recipient and provider views.

Rapid molecular tests for tuberculosis and tuberculosis drug resistance: a qualitative evidence synthesis of recipient and provider views.

Parkinson Disease

Parkinson Disease Jaime Moore (bio) and Jessica Kandl (bio) CARE OF THE PROFESSIONAL VOICE Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects approximately two million Americans.1 Typically, this disease presents in either sex after the age of 60; however, it can present in individuals as young as 30. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder facing the elderly.2 In addition to affecting movement, 70–90% of patients also experience Parkinson-related voice and speech disturbance, and up to 1/3 of these patients identify the voice and speech symptoms as the most debilitating deficits related to the disease.3 Parkinson disease can be challenging in singers and it is imperative that singing teachers and professional voice users recognize the effects of PD on the voice and speech and be familiar with treatment options. WHAT IS PARKINSON DISEASE? Parkinson disease is a neurologic disease caused by death of neurons in the substantia nigra, a dopamine-producing region of the brain.4 Subsequently, there is a decrease in production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter. The substantia nigra is part of the basal ganglia, a region of the brain crucial in movement; therefore, changes in the neurotransmitters in this region lead to motor impairment, including difficulty walking resting, speech and voice impairment, tremor, rigidity (stiffness), and bradykinesia (slow movements). In addition to motor symptoms, the disease can cause depression, sleep disturbance, voice changes, and possibly cognitive impairments. Voice changes can be the first sign of PD, and recognizing these changes is important in ensuring that the patient receives the necessary care.5 Parkinson disease should be distinguished from the Parkinson Plus Syndromes such as multisystem atrophy.6 This group of syndromes is defined by Parkinson symptoms, but with additional clinic features such as rapid progression, early dementia, vision changes, and frequent falls. Vocal and speech disturbances in PD include hypokinetic dysarthrias marked by monopitch and slowed speech, reduced stress, imprecise consonants, breathiness, and reduced loudness.7 Patients with PD also have abnormal vocal processing and auditory feedback, which leads to the patient perceiving the voice as normal when it is not.8 Singers might note loss of range, decreased loudness, prolonged warm-up, and increased vocal instability. These speech and voice changes can limit patients’ ability to convey emotions as well as decrease speech intelligibility.9 Decreased intelligibility can lead patients with Parkinson disease to limit social interaction, which may result in isolation and decreased quality of life. [End Page 609] EVALUATION Patients diagnosed with Parkinson dysphonia and/or dysarthria require a multidisciplinary team approach including evaluations by a neurologist, otolaryngologist, speech language pathologist, and other professionals. A complete head and neck exam should be conducted, and additional neurologic signs such as resting tremor, “pill rolling” finger movements, and decreased facial expression should be noted.10 As part of the evaluation, the larynx is visualized typically using videostrobolaryngoscopy. Vocal fold bowing and atrophy are seen commonly, and the vocal fold bowing is associated with glottal incompetence and compensatory muscle tension dysphonia.11 Vocal tremor and vocal paresis and paralysis also have been reported in these patients. Objective voice testing can demonstrate increased shimmer and jitter and decreased harmonic-to-noise ratio. In addition to voice complaints, patients often have difficulty swallowing and reduced sense of smell, and these symptoms may require additional evaluation.12 TREATMENT Typically, medical therapy to increase dopamine is the initial treatment for PD.13 This is done through a combination of medications that prevent degradation of dopamine and increase the supply of dopamine. The regimen requires adjustment as the disease progresses. These medications have been shown to improve motor symptoms of the disease like rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting tremor; however, there are mixed data about the vocal impact.14 Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is another treatment option that involves implanting electrodes into specific areas of the brain. These electrodes send electrical impulses that help regulate pathway activity in a more normal pattern. This treatment has been shown to dramatically improve overall motor function of the patient; however, the vocal results are variable, with some studies demonstrate a negative impact on vocal quality.15 As neither option specifically addresses Parkinson dysphonia, additional treatment typically...

Professional financial statement users’ perceived value of carbon accounting disclosures and decision context

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how professional financial statement users use carbon accounting information in their decisions and whether this use is sensitive to changing the decision context from an investment to a donation.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 173 US professional financial statement users, the authors conduct an experiment that manipulates an investment or donation choice to evaluate how differing levels of carbon sequestration affect decision-making across contexts.FindingsCarbon sequestration information affects users’ donation decisions but does not affect investment decisions. Variation in the reliability of the information and whether the information is linked to strategy do not affect users’ decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is performed by an experiment and informs our understanding of the relevance to users of carbon sequestration disclosure. Results indicate that carbon sequestration disclosure has value for donation but not investment decisions. The authors interpret this as evidence of some value of this type of disclosure in professional financial statement users’ decision-making but not for a financially focused evaluation.Originality/valueThis paper provides unique insights into the effect of reporting carbon sequestration on decision-making. There has been significant research on the broader topic of corporate sustainability, and capital markets research indicates that the market values increased sustainability disclosure. This study extends the research by examining a specific component of carbon disclosure that is not currently widely reported and by the use of information for different types of evaluations. The results find evidence that the value of this type of carbon disclosure does not stem from a purely financial perspective but instead, from other nonpecuniary factors.

Frequent Violations and Infringements against Users in Mental Health Care Confirmed by Both Users and Professionals – A Quantitative Study

The main task of mental health care services is to provide good quality of care. Despite this, users are sometimes treated badly by staff. The purpose of this study was to investigate violations and infringements towards users in mental health care services, from the perspectives of both staff and users. Data were gathered through an anonymous online questionnaire sent to staff and users in Norway. Staff were recruited in collaboration with professional organisations and users in collaboration with user-organisations.

Liturgy and Learning: The Encyclopaedic Function of the Old English Martyrology

This article examines the broad, encyclopaedic ambit of the scholarly information contained in the ninth-century Old English Martyrology. Martyrologies generally serve as para-liturgical resources outlining the contours of the liturgical year and the biographies of the saints commemorated throughout its course. However, the Old English Martyrology, the earliest European example of a vernacular, prose martyrology, adapts the genre into a more multivalent, scholarly handbook that instructs and informs its users—generally, practitioners of the liturgy—in a variety of topics. Subjects covered in the text include geography, language, hagiography, temporal reckoning, computus, astronomy, cosmology, meteorology, science, liturgy, and learning of a general Christian nature pertaining to the saints and the liturgical year. The present volume considers the impact of liturgy upon various facets of medieval intellectual, cultural, religious, political, and social life. The article at hand considers how the liturgical year is used as the framework around which instruction, edification, and general ecclesiastical learning might be imparted. While liturgical texts generally constitute formulae to be enacted by practitioners, para-liturgical resources provide background information that is germane to the liturgy, the liturgical year, and ecclesiastical life. This article begins with an examination of the development of the kalendar of the saints and the genre and form of the martyrology. It moves on to examine the different types of scholarly learning contained in the Old English Martyrology, the purpose of such details for the professional religious user, and what this information tells us about the text’s application. Overall, this article considers the Old English Martyrology as an interdisciplinary manual dealing with liturgy, the liturgical cycle of the saints, and the subjects it impinges upon.

Improvement in Work Productivity After Group Voice Therapy in Professional Voice Users

A disordered voice may significantly impair the ability of workers to perform optimally on the job, especially those classified as professional voice users (PVU). Voice therapy is a common treatment option for voice disorders, but there are few studies demonstrating its effect on work productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the change in work productivity in PVU after group voice therapy. Prospective cohort study SETTING: Academic Voice Center METHODS: PVUs whose primary treatment for their voice disorder was voice therapy were recruited. Participants completed a 7-week group voice therapy course from January 2018 to December 2020. Participants completed the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI) which measured presenteeism (on the job work productivity impairment) and absenteeism (time missed from work), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and Voice handicap index -10 (VHI-10) before and after group voice therapy. Changes in scores before and after therapy were compared using a Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Twenty-seven PVU were recruited; 25 had complete data (100% female, mean age 45.4 years, 68% teachers). Presenteeism (SD) decreased from 72.0% (23.3) to 36.8% (24.8), which represented a significant improvement of 35.2% (27.8) [95% CI 21.7-38.7; P < 0.001]. Activity impairment decreased from 48.4% (32.0) to 25.6% (23.8), which represented a significant improvement of 22.8% (26.5) [95% CI 20.7-37.0; P < 0.00]. There was no change in absenteeism (P = 0.27). Patients had high mean GSES of 34.4 (3.7) and abnormal mean VHI-10 of 18.2 (7.2). Changes in VHI-10 and GSES were not significant. PVU had an improvement in work productivity that was largely represented by decreased presenteeism after completing group voice therapy.

Factors influencing trust in medical artificial intelligence for healthcare professionals: a narrative review

Objective: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to better understand the trust dynamics between medical artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare expert end-users. We explored the factors that influence trust in these technologies and how they compare to established concepts of trust in the engineering discipline. By identifying the qualitatively and quantitatively assessed factors that influence trust in medical AI, we gain insight into understanding how autonomous systems can be optimized during the development phase to improve decision-making support and clinician-machine teaming. This facilitates an enhanced understanding of the qualities that healthcare professional users seek in AI to consider it trustworthy. We also highlight key considerations for promoting on-going improvement of trust in autonomous medical systems to support the adoption of medical technologies into practice.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethyl cyanoacrylate contained in cosmetic glues among hairdressers and beauticians who perform nail treatments and eyelash extension as well as hair extension applications: A systematic review.

Current cosmetic regulations primarily focus on protecting consumers, not the professional user who is subjected to a partly different, and certainly more intense exposure to hazardous substances. Against this background, this systematic review aims to compile and appraise evidence regarding skin toxicity of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA; CAS no. 212-782-2) and ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA; CAS no. 7085-85-0) contained in cosmetic glues used among hairdressers and beauticians who perform nail treatments and eyelash extension as well as hair extension applications. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 recommendations for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. In total, six publications from six countries were eligible for this systematic review. A meta-analysis revealed that hairdressers and beauticians have a ninefold increased risk of developing contact allergy to HEMA compared with controls who are not hairdressers and beauticians. Results for ECA are lacking. The results of this systematic review clearly show that-regarding contact allergy to acrylates-it is not appropriate to apply risk assessment for consumers to hairdressers and beauticians who occupationally handle cosmetic glues. The regulations in existence do not adequately address occupational risks for hairdressers and beauticians connected with the use of acrylate-containing cosmetic substances and need reconsideration.