Mental Stress Detection using Data from Wearable and Non-wearable Sensors: A Review

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of methods covering significant subjective and objective human stress detection techniques available in the literature. The methods for measuring human stress responses could include subjective questionnaires (developed by psychologists) and objective markers observed using data from wearable and non-wearable sensors. In particular, wearable sensor-based methods commonly use data from electroencephalography, electrocardiogram, galvanic skin response, electromyography, electrodermal activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, and photoplethysmography both individually and in multimodal fusion strategies. Whereas, methods based on non-wearable sensors include strategies such as analyzing pupil dilation and speech, smartphone data, eye movement, body posture, and thermal imaging. Whenever a stressful situation is encountered by an individual, physiological, physical, or behavioral changes are induced which help in coping with the challenge at hand. A wide range of studies has attempted to establish a relationship between these stressful situations and the response of human beings by using different kinds of psychological, physiological, physical, and behavioral measures. Inspired by the lack of availability of a definitive verdict about the relationship of human stress with these different kinds of markers, a detailed survey about human stress detection methods is conducted in this paper. In particular, we explore how stress detection methods can benefit from artificial intelligence utilizing relevant data from various sources. This review will prove to be a reference document that would

Emotional Imagery Influences the Adaptive Force in Young Women: Unpleasant Imagery Reduces Instantaneously the Muscular Holding Capacity

“…However, the detailed causal relationship between, e.g., mental stress and musculoskeletal pain, is still unknown [ 12 , 18 , 19 , 21 ]. Investigations regarding the influence of mental stress on muscular activity mostly have been performed by evaluating electromyography (EMG) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Muscular activity is usually higher during stress, e.g., for lumbar and thoracic muscles, while being exposed to negative emotional pictures and music vs. positive ones [ 25 ], or during anger and sadness recall interviews vs. baseline values [ 12 ] and for the trapezius muscle, during increased self-reported stress induced by the Stroop color word test and mental arithmetic tasks [ 26 ], or while anticipating a nociceptive stimulus (uncontrollable and unpredictable) [ 27 ].…”

Enhancing Stress Detection: A Comprehensive Approach through rPPG Analysis and Deep Learning Techniques

“…Cortisol levels and other physiological measures such as body temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate, HRV, and blood pressure (BP) have been identified as standard stress biomarkers [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Several methods for stress detection include questionnaires, ECG, electroencephalogram (EEG), BP using arm cuff, sampling saliva cortisol and other biomarkers from blood tests [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Self-reporting tools such as the Perceived Stress Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale are widely used to measure perceived stress, but have limitations such as biased responses and subjectivity [ 39 ].…”

“…Biomarkers such as cortisol in salivary and hair samples are associated with chronic stress but are invasive and time-consuming. Blood pressure measured with a sphygmomanometer is accurate, but requires a trained professional [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM) devices offer home monitoring, but lack widespread validation and can be influenced by factors other than stress [ 42 ].…”

Influence of emotionally affective imaginations on the Adaptive Force in young women: unpleasant imaginations reduce the holding capacity of muscles

“…[12,18,19,21] Investigations regarding the influence of mental stress on muscular activity are mostly performed by evaluating electromyography (EMG). [22][23][24] Thereby, usually a higher muscular activity was found, e.g., for lumbar and thoracal muscles while being exposed to negative emotional pictures and music vs. positive ones [25] or during anger and sadness recall interviews vs. baseline values [12]; regarding trapezius muscle during increased self-reported stress induced by Stroop color word test and mental arithmetic [26], or while anticipating a nociceptive stimulus (uncontrollable and unpredictable). [27] This leads to the conclusion that mental stress can increase muscle tension.…”