Exploring the impact of hydrotherapy interventions on stress reduction in construction workers: A scoping review protocol

Introduction

The global construction industry is characterized by high demands that affect workers both physically and psychologically, with significant stressors that extend beyond the physical demands of work.¹ Stress is a typical physiological and psychological reaction triggered by the body in response to adverse, demanding or difficult situations, called stressors (Figure 1).² Elevated stress is temporary and adaptive.³ In contrast, chronic stress is a long-term disease⁴ known to be associated with adverse reactions and negative effects on bodily processes.⁵ Constant or prolonged stress causes the body to release certain hormones or chemicals.⁶

Figure 1. The stress processes.

There are many systems in the body that independently regulate stress levels, involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and the immune system.⁷ The HPA axis responds to stressors by secreting cortisol, a substance that primes the body for fight-and-flight mechanisms plus a key biomarker of stress.^8,9 As mentioned above, the ANS also plays a role in growth and regulation of weight gain and longevity. It controls the body’s functions through autonomic reflexes in response to external stimuli (environment, sight, smell, touch, etc.) and internal stimuli (maintaining of body homeostasis, such as temperature, blood sugar, water intake, weight, etc.).⁷ Therefore, emotional reactions such as anxiety or depression are psychological stress reactions associated with physical changes in the body such as backaches, headaches, poor eyesight, sleep problems, dizziness, fatigue and food cravings and indigestion.

Construction sites, being a dynamic and pressurized environment, present challenges such as tight schedules, compromised safety and complex tasks, compounded by long hours and demanding tasks. The relationship between work-related stressors and strain leads to a stimulus-response process where work stressors cause psychological, physical and behavioral responses.^10,11 The most common treatment strategies include the use of prescribed anxiolytic medications and psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy.¹² These medical procedures are known to have unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, nausea and in some cases the added challenge of dealing with social stigma.¹³

Hydrotherapy uses water, liquid, steam or ice for healing to improve circulation and quality of treatment.¹⁴ A bath or shower relaxes, relieves stress and helps remove toxins from the body.¹⁵ Hydrotherapy has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of many ailments and diseases, making it a valuable treatment option in both traditional medicine and complementary approaches.¹⁶

This scoping review aims to methodically chart presented evidence from published works concerning stress, gather insight as to how stress affects the standard of life and commence to explore then advance understanding on efficacy of diverse treatments designed for stress on construction workers. The purpose of this research review is to systematically examine the existing evidence in the stress literature, gain an understanding of how stress affects quality of life, and start to explore then understand the efficacy of various stress medications for construction workers.

Global construction industry causes considerable stress to workers, affecting them physically and mentally. Stress, a reaction to difficult situations, can cause negative health effects. The demanding environment of a construction site increases stress, which leads to psychological, physical, and behavioral reactions. Traditional treatments often have side effects and social stigma. Hydrotherapy, which uses water for healing, offers a promising alternative that promotes relaxation and detoxification. Its multiple benefits make it a valuable stress management tool.

The insights from this study may be useful to construction workers as a supplement to their treatment armamentarium. This comprehensive review of the impact of hydrotherapy activities on stress reduction in construction workers can assist in the planning and delivery of safe and affordable stress interventions. Most medical interventions for stress have side effects and are not available to the poorest of the poor, increasing the burden on inaccessible populations. The insights from this study may benefit construction workers as a supplement to their medical supplies. We therefore help achieve SDG 3 by promoting the livelihoods of South African construction workers.

Methods

Protocol design

The purpose of this research protocol is to examine the presented evidence on current interventions for physiological well-being in the construction industry and to examine the biological responses of hydrotherapy to signs of stress. In addition, knowledge acquired from a review of this scope enables and builds a deep scientific understanding of stress management and can help improve the current armamentarium of stress treatments.

The research questions underlying this research review are:

• ○ Are there any studies that aim to reduce stress on construction workers?

• ○ What are the main components of these mediations?

Scoping assessment is done to answer the question. Led by the framework of Arksey and O’Malley,¹⁷ improved by Levac et al.¹⁸ and the 2015 guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute,¹⁹ the evidence for stress interventions is reviewed in the literature. According to this methodological framework, a systematic exploration involves a five-step framework as follows (Figure 2):

Step 1: Identify the research question

Step 2: Identify applicable findings

Step 3: Select studies

Step 4: Map the data

Step 5: data collection, summary and reporting

Figure 2. Text-based representation of the study design used.

To ensure that no step is missed, the process is guided by the Recommended Reporting Units for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: Extension to Scoping Review Guidelines (PRISMA-ScR), (Figure 3). In addition, results are summarized and presented using the PRISMA-P 2015 checklist, which ensures a precise progression.²⁰

Figure 3. Flow diagram for study selection in this scoping review.

Discussion

This scoping review aims to critically analyze current physiological well-being interventions in the construction industry and to investigate the biological responses of hydrotherapy to stress markers. Finally, make recommendations that support the well-being of construction workers. Stress in construction workers can destructively influence their capacity to execute tasks, productivity, and capability to construct optimistic relationships correlated to their role.²⁵ This is an important worldwide issue given the connection involving stress and subsequent depression among construction workers, as emphasized in a recent study.^6,25 The mediating role of job stress in the relationship between job contentment and hiring and firing rate intention of construction workers is a critical area of research that affects both organizational management and individual well-being²⁶ Job satisfaction is a multifaceted construct influenced by various work environment factors such as workload, relationships with colleagues and superiors, and opportunities for advancement^3,27 When job satisfaction is low, it often leads to increased turnover, which can have a detrimental effect on organizational stability and productivity. Factors such as extreme workload,²⁸ lack of control over one’s duties, and reduced interpersonal relationships²⁹ can be as a results of high work stress. These stressors can weaken overall job satisfaction and encourage the desire to leave the organization.² Understanding the mediating role of occupational stress allows organizations to take measures to reduce employee stress levels. By addressing the root causes of stress, such as managing workload and improving communication channels, organizations may be able to increase job satisfaction and reduce turnover among construction professionals. This not only benefits individuals by improving the quality of their work lives, but also contributes to the performance and stability of the company. Similarly, the impact of workplace interventions targeting psychosocial threats on security and health effects is particularly significant in sectors such as the construction industry where occupational hazards are common. Psychosocial risk factors include aspects of the work environment that affect psychological and physiological health and well-being, including job demands, decision-making freedom, social support, and organizational culture.³⁰ Workplace measures that mitigate these hazards can improve the well-being of construction professionals.

Additionally, employing stress controlling programs, encouraging work-life balance initiatives, then improving communication and teamwork, water therapy stands out as a particularly effective tool for combating stress. Construction work often involves exposure to high temperature, that may results to heat stress, dehydration, and heat-related ill health such as heat stroke.² Therefore, employers can implement strategies such as adequate rest breaks, shaded rest areas, hydration stations and personal protective equipment to mitigate the effects of heat stress. Additionally, educating workers about the importance of hydration, recognizing the signs of heat-related disorder, and implementing heat stress monitoring programs can protect the well-being of construction professionals.³¹

Lastly, a multifaceted approach which includes organizational interventions, policy changes, and individual-level strategies, including hydrotherapy addressing occupational stress, psychosocial risk factors, and heat stress among construction professionals is required. By prioritizing employee well-being and creating a supportive work environment, organizations can promote job satisfaction, safety, and health among construction workers, which ultimately leads to better organizational performance and employee retention.

Declarations

The information produced and investigated from this study will be presented and published in a systematic scoping review article.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval and consent were not required.

Consent for publication

Non relevant