engleski

Memory and concentration efficiency in workers professionally exposed to xylene

The study reports on relation between subjective perception of memory and concentration efficiency and objective test performance, as a part of the study on possible effects of xylene on cognitive functions in professionally exposed workers. Digit Span from Wechsler Memory Scale and Benton Visual Retention Tests were used for assessment of memory. The sample comprised 29 healthy subjects exposed between 2 and 29 years to low concentrations of xylene through inhalation. Out of 29 subjects four showed slightly lowered results on one of the memory tests, nevertheless 11 subjects stated that they have memory difficulties. The group was than divided into two on the basis of the length of the exposure: 15 subjects were exposed to xylene for more than 11 years, while 14 had exposure up to 10 years. Ten out of 15 first group subjects complained on their memory, in contrast to only one in the second group. In the first group three subjects had lowered scores, while only two of them complained on their memory. In the second group only one had lowered scores, but she did not complain. Observed frequent complaints on memory are correspondent to the length of exposure but not to the test results. Similar discrepancy was found between observed simple response time to light stimuli and subjective estimation of mental concentration ability.

memory; mental concentration; xylene; simple response time; psychological performance; misperception

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