Face masks
Face masks has been studied in 4 papers since 2022: 4 observational studies in people. The newest paper, Jun 4, 2024: “Effect of Face Masks on Voice Quality Associated with Young and Older Chinese Adult Speakers”.
4 papers study it6 findingsUpdated
“Face masks affected performance in both age groups, but more so in older adults, specifically for negative emotions (anger, fear)”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 4 countries
- Funder: Economic and Social Research Council
- Humans4
What did studies of Face masks find?
6Studies of Face masks measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are dysphonia (1 study), voice perturbation (1) and emotion recognition performance (1).
Dysphonia
downin humans1
1 study
Dysphonia
downin humans1
Face masks decrease dysphonia in humans.
“the overall grade of dysphonia, and roughness were reduced, except for the breathiness among older male speakers”
Human trial
Effect of Face Masks on Voice Quality Associated with Young and Older Chinese Adult Speakers
Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
Voice perturbation
downin humans1
1 study
Voice perturbation
downin humans1
Face masks decrease voice perturbation in humans.
“perturbation measures such as jitter and shimmer were reduced, while HNR and CPPs increased.”
Human trial
Effect of Face Masks on Voice Quality Associated with Young and Older Chinese Adult Speakers
Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
Emotion recognition performance
downin humans1
1 study
Emotion recognition performance
downin humans1
Face masks impair emotion recognition performance in humans (Greater impairment on profile than on three-quarter or full-face views).
“Additionally, face masks more affected emotion recognition on profile than on three-quarter or full-face views.”
Human trialGreater impairment on profile than on three-quarter or full-face views
Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement
Emotional facial expression identification performance
downin humans1
1 study
Emotional facial expression identification performance
downin humans1
Face masks impair emotional facial expression identification performance in humans.
“Face masks affected performance in both age groups, but more so in older adults, specifically for negative emotions (anger, fear)”
Human trialMasked versus unmasked facial pictures; greater impairment in older adults, specifically for anger and fear
Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement
Emotion perception
downin humans1
1 study
Emotion perception
downin humans1
Face masks impair emotion perception in humans (face masks covering mouth).
“face masks impaired perception of anger, sadness, and fear more for older compared to younger adults”
Human trialface masks covering mouth
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
Emotion recognition
downin humans1
1 study
Emotion recognition
downin humans1
Face masks are linked with worse emotion recognition in humans.
“Overall, face masks reduced participants' emotion recognition; however, there were no differential age effects.”
Humans
Frontiers in psychology