Towards Continuous Monitoring of Well-Being

Abstract

When linked to wearable biosensors, Intelligent Environments could play a pivotal role in continuously monitoring and securing people’s well-being. We explored the value of one such biosensor that records Electrodermal Activity (EDA) by assessing its correlation with participants’ simultaneously, continuously, self-reported arousal. EDA’s frequency and amplitude of ‘non-specific’ Skin Conductance Responses in low, mid to high, or high levels of arousal were determined. When participants were in mid/high and high arousal situations, self-reports showed significant correlations (p < .001) with both EDA characteristics. With low arousal, no significant correlations were found. So, in cases of elevated stress, EDA shows the potential of being a reliable signal stress and, hence, also monitor of people’s well-being over time. Follow-up studies should further investigate and validate the utility of EDA monitoring as part of a comprehensive health monitoring strategy and its effectiveness in enhancing well-being.

Electrodermal activity: A continuous monitor of well-being

“…Figure 4 presents the calculated correlation coefficients for different arousal contexts, across datasets. Notably is the congruence between the findings from the CASE dataset in previously established research [22], while here we used a different nsSCRS detection method. Furthermore, Fig.…”

“…In this study, we build upon the authors' prior research, which involved the assessment of two Electrodermal Activity (EDA) features and self-reported arousal on a continuous scale [22]. The earlier findings were encouraging, revealing significant correlation coefficients in high-arousal scenarios.…”

“…It is important to note these differences because they impact signal characteristics and ultimately processing decisions. We have applied a similar method in previous work on the CASE dataset which used lab grade biosignal sensors [22]. Interestingly, the additional datasets in this work have biosignals recordings measured with the Empatica E4 wristband.…”