Leukocyte reactivity as an objective means of quantifying mental loading during ergonomic evaluation

Shelton-Rayner, Graham K.; Macdonald, David W.; Chandler, Simon; Robertson, Duncan; Mian, Rubina

doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.02.011

Cited by 18 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Using chemiluminescence, reactive oxygen species concentration can be measured providing an objective, rapid assessment of an individual's physical response to psychological stress (Shelton-Rayner et al, 2010; Shelton-Rayner, 2009). LCC was used to assess changes in mental loading associated with completing the same basic driving related tasks using two motor vehicles from two different manufacturers.…”

Section: Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…subjective workload assessment technique and NASA-task load index). Quantitative techniques including, measurement of changes in heart rate Psychological stress reduces leukocyte responsiveness to Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced reactive oxygen species production, in vitro .Using chemiluminescence, reactive oxygen species concentration can be measured providing an objective, rapid assessment of an individual's physical response to psychological stress (Shelton-Rayner et al, 2010; Shelton-Rayner, 2009). LCC was used to assess changes in mental loading associated with completing the same basic driving related tasks using two motor vehicles from two different manufacturers.…”

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Leukocyte responsiveness, a quantitative assay for subjective mental workload

Shelton-Rayner

Mian²,

Chandler

et al. 2012

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

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Assessing psychological stress and mental workload within work-based scenarios relies heavily upon qualitative, subjective, self-assessment techniques, many of which were originally intended for identifying specific pathological disorders and have reduced sensitivity when evaluating everyday stressors. Quantitative measures involve monitoring changes in the cardiopulmonary system and stress hormone concentration. Although these (e.g. heart rate and blood pressure) provide a basic, reactive indication of the presence of a psychological stressor, many are subject to influence by other bio-mechanisms, or are unable to provide rapid results due to complex laboratory analysis. This study demonstrates how immune responsiveness, known to be influenced by psychological stress, can be used to assess changes in mental workload. Healthy male and female subjects (aged between 26 and 55 years) provided capillary blood samples before and after completing the same, basic, driver-related tasks followed by a simple manoeuvre in two unfamiliar motor vehicles. Using a chemiluminescent technique termed Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC), the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species in vitro was assessed. Significant post-stressor changes in leukocyte activity were demonstrated between treatment groups. These findings add weight to the proposition that leukocyte activation is a useful quantitative measure of psychological stress and mental loading in humans. This study demonstrates the diagnostic ability of LCC for use during ergonomic evaluation, however the potential industrial applications for this technique are numerous and diverse. KEY WORDSChemiluminescence; Ergonomics; Leukocytes; Mental Workload; Psychological Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species. 3 ABBREVIATIONSHmax-RLU adj , maximum control adjusted leukocyte activity; LCC, leukocyte coping capacity; RLU adj , control adjusted relative light units; T-max, time taken (minutes) to reach maximum control adjusted leukocyte activity; T=5, 10, and 15minutes, control adjusted leukocyte activity at 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively, into the 45 minute chemiluminescence sampling protocol. INTRODUCTIONEvaluation of psychological stress -a threat which would not require a physiological response which elicits physiological consequences (Segerstrom and Miller, 2004) relies heavily upon qualitative psychometric measures. Examples include: Present State Examination (Baker et al., 2003), the Brief Symptom Inventory (Brosig et al., 2007;Cuculi et al., 2006;Fellinger et al., 2007;Mansbach et al., 2005), and the BussDurkee Hostility Inventory (Bag et al., 2005). All were primarily designed to identify specific pathologic disorders, and validated using dysfunctional clinical populations with abnormal statistical distributions. Consequently these proved to have limited sensitivity when used to test below intended critical diagnostic thresholds (Lemyre and Tessier, 1988) -such as when investigating psychological and physiological transient laboratory stressors.As psychological...

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Section: Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Leukocyte responsiveness, a quantitative assay for subjective mental workload

Shelton-Rayner

Mian²,

Chandler

et al. 2012

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

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“…Even mild psychological stressors can reduce the effectiveness of the immune response, thus leading to an increased risk of infection or disease (Boscarino & Chang, 1999;Dhabhar, Miller, McEwen, & Spencer, 1996). Short-term psychological stress characterized by the taxonomic classification proposed by Elliot and Eisdorfer (1982)-defined as an acute time limited event that promotes confusion or feelings of distress that consequently trigger both a psychological and/or physiological response, including academic examinations (Kang, Coe, & McCarthy, 1996;Maes, Van Der Planken, et al, 1998) or psychological confusion of a magnitude encountered as part of daily life, lasting only minutes-can produce demonstrable physiological alterations to heart rate, blood pressure (BP), and the activation state of specific classes of leukocyte, notably neutrophils (Mian, Shelton-Rayner, Harkin, & Williams, 2003;Shelton-Rayner, Macdonald, Chandler, Robertson, & Mian, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychological stress reduces the effectiveness of the immune system, thus leading to an increased risk of infection or disease (Boscarino & Chang, 1999;Dhabhar et al, 1996). Even short-term psychological stressors such as academic examinations (Kang et al, 1996;Maes, Van Der Planken, et al, 1998) can produce demonstrable physiological changes in the reactivity of specific classes of leukocyte, notably neutrophils Shelton-Rayner et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2002, Atanackovic, Brunner-Weinzierl, Kröger, Serke, and Deter demonstrated how exposure to a putatively stressful event resulted in a significant reduction in ROS production compared to control. More recently, studies conducted by us and others, utilizing chemiluminescent assay of Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate (PMA) -induced ROS production by leukocytes, have demonstrated a quantitative link between psychological confusion/anxiety and immune-competency Mian et al, 2003;Montes, McLaran, Macdonald, & Mian, 2003Shelton-Rayner, 2009;Shelton-Rayner et al, 2010). The LCC technique involves measuring the ability of leukocytes to produce a respiratory burst following chemical challenge, assayed in terms of ROS and calibrated through the emission of photons via their interaction with Luminol (McLaren et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantitative Physiological Assessment of Stress Via Altered Immune Functioning Following Interaction With Differing Automotive Interface Technologies

Shelton-Rayner

Mian²,

Chandler

et al. 2011

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

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Technology can enhance or diminish a user's psycho-physiological stress level; the ability to quantify these responses can help evaluate and refine design. The capability of drivers to accomplish basic tasks utilizing differing sensory modalities while maintaining lane discipline within a computer-simulated environment was assessed. Fifteen healthy subjects provided capillary blood samples before and after using three human-machine interface designs-touch-screen, voice control, and multimodal. Using a chemiluminescent technique termed Leukocyte Coping Capacity, the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species in vitro was assessed. Significant poststressor changes in leukocyte activity of varying magnitude were observed following the use of all interfaces; with the multimodal interface provoking the most pronounced response and voice control the least. Although still requiring further research, the results support the proposition for using immune responsiveness as a means for quantifying psychological stress during assessment of ergonomic design and psycho-physiological and social interaction. This research was sponsored by Jaguar Cars Limited, Engineering Centre, Whitley, Coventry, United Kingdom. This work formed part of a PhD program of research. The PhD studentship was sponsored by financial assistance, the supply of test vehicles, and other specialist equipment including driving simulation technology by Jaguar and Land Rover Research and Development, Jaguar Cars Limited. The sole request of the sponsor was for the research team to design a simulator-based study incorporating production test vehicles for the purpose of testing and investigating the ability of the Leukocyte Coping Capacity protocol and other physiological parameters to act as a means for objectively quantifying changes in stress level following interaction with human-machine interfaces of differing ergonomic design.

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