Computational Psychometrics Using Psychophysiological Measures for the Assessment of Acute Mental Stress

Overview

Journal Sensors (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2019 Feb 17

PMID 30769812

Citations 6

Authors

Pietro Cipresso

Desiree Colombo

Giuseppe Riva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to provide reliable quantitative analyses of psycho-physiological measures during acute mental stress. Acute, time-limited stressors are used extensively as experimental stimuli in psychophysiological research. In particular, the Stroop Color Word Task and the Arithmetical Task have been widely used in several settings as effective mental stressors. We collected psychophysiological data on blood volume pulse, thoracic respiration, and skin conductance from 60 participants at rest and during stressful situations. Subsequently, we used statistical univariate tests and multivariate computational approaches to conduct comprehensive studies on the discriminative properties of each condition in relation to psychophysiological correlates. The results showed evidence of a greater discrimination capability of the Arithmetical Task compared to the Stroop test. The best predictors were the short time Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indices, in particular, the Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia index, which in turn could be predicted by other HRV and respiratory indices in a hierarchical, multi-level regression analysis. Thus, computational psychometrics analyses proved to be an effective tool for studying such complex variables. They could represent the first step in developing complex platforms for the automatic detection of mental stress, which could improve the treatment.

Citing Articles

: Moderate Cognitive Flexibility as a Key to Affective Flexibility Responses in Long-Term HRV.

Borghesi F, Simoncini G, Chirico A, Cipresso P Sensors (Basel). 2025; 24(24.

PMID: 39771783 PMC: 11679733. DOI: 10.3390/s24248047.

Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Preprocessing Techniques for Detecting, Predicting, and Monitoring Stress and Stress-Related Mental Disorders: Scoping Review.

Razavi M, Ziyadidegan S, Mahmoudzadeh A, Kazeminasab S, Baharlouei E, Janfaza V JMIR Ment Health. 2024; 11:e53714.

PMID: 39167782 PMC: 11375388. DOI: 10.2196/53714.

Mind and body connection in expert meditators: a computational study based on central and peripheral nervous system.

Borghesi F, Cremascoli R, Chirico A, Bianchi L, Di Moia A, Priano L BMC Complement Med Ther. 2024; 24(1):117.

PMID: 38454382 PMC: 10921575. DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04413-5.

Outlining a novel psychometric model of mental flexibility and affect dynamics.

Borghesi F, Chirico A, Cipresso P Front Psychol. 2023; 14:1183316.

PMID: 38155694 PMC: 10753024. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1183316.

Feelings from the Heart Part II: Simulation and Validation of Static and Dynamic HRV Decrease-Trigger Algorithms to Detect Stress in Firefighters.

Rominger C, Schwerdtfeger A Sensors (Basel). 2022; 22(8).

PMID: 35458912 PMC: 9029799. DOI: 10.3390/s22082925.

References

MacDonald 3rd A, Cohen J, Stenger V, Carter C . Dissociating the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex in cognitive control. Science. 2000; 288(5472):1835-8. DOI: 10.1126/science.288.5472.1835. View

Swick D, Jovanovic J . Anterior cingulate cortex and the Stroop task: neuropsychological evidence for topographic specificity. Neuropsychologia. 2002; 40(8):1240-53. DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00226-3. View

SCHNEIDER G, Jacobs D, Gevirtz R, OConnor D . Cardiovascular haemodynamic response to repeated mental stress in normotensive subjects at genetic risk of hypertension: evidence of enhanced reactivity, blunted adaptation, and delayed recovery. J Hum Hypertens. 2004; 17(12):829-40. DOI: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1001624. View

Hjortskov N, Rissen D, Blangsted A, Fallentin N, Lundberg U, Sogaard K . The effect of mental stress on heart rate variability and blood pressure during computer work. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004; 92(1-2):84-9. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-004-1055-z. View

Segerstrom S, Miller G . Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychol Bull. 2004; 130(4):601-30. PMC: 1361287. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.130.4.601. View

Teixeira-Silva F, Prado G, Ribeiro L, Leite J . The anxiogenic video-recorded Stroop Color-Word Test: psychological and physiological alterations and effects of diazepam. Physiol Behav. 2004; 82(2-3):215-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.03.031. View

Shusterman V, Barnea O . Sympathetic nervous system activity in stress and biofeedback relaxation. Monitoring SNS activity with the photoplethysmographic-wave envelope and temperature-variability signals. IEEE Eng Med Biol Mag. 2005; 24(2):52-7. DOI: 10.1109/memb.2005.1411349. View

de Kloet E, Joels M, Holsboer F . Stress and the brain: from adaptation to disease. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2005; 6(6):463-75. DOI: 10.1038/nrn1683. View

Vuksanovic V, Gal V . Heart rate variability in mental stress aloud. Med Eng Phys. 2006; 29(3):344-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2006.05.011. View

10.

Pagani M, Mazzuero G, Ferrari A, Liberati D, Cerutti S, Vaitl D . Sympathovagal interaction during mental stress. A study using spectral analysis of heart rate variability in healthy control subjects and patients with a prior myocardial infarction. Circulation. 1991; 83(4 Suppl):II43-51. View

11.

Mauri M, Magagnin V, Cipresso P, Mainardi L, Brown E, Cerutti S . Psychophysiological signals associated with affective states. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2010; 2010:3563-6. PMC: 3059749. DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2010.5627465. View

12.

Taelman J, Vandeput S, Vlemincx E, Spaepen A, Van Huffel S . Instantaneous changes in heart rate regulation due to mental load in simulated office work. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010; 111(7):1497-505. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1776-0. View

13.

Lackner H, Papousek I, Batzel J, Roessler A, Scharfetter H, Hinghofer-Szalkay H . Phase synchronization of hemodynamic variables and respiration during mental challenge. Int J Psychophysiol. 2011; 79(3):401-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2011.01.001. View

14.

Magagnin V, Mauri M, Cipresso P, Mainardi L, Brown E, Cerutti S . Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Assessment of Affective States by Bivariate Autoregressive Spectral Analysis. Comput Cardiol (2010). 2011; 37(5737930):145-148. PMC: 3110731. View

15.

Willmann M, Langlet C, Hainaut J, Bolmont B . The time course of autonomic parameters and muscle tension during recovery following a moderate cognitive stressor: dependency on trait anxiety level. Int J Psychophysiol. 2012; 84(1):51-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.01.009. View

16.

Villani D, Grassi A, Cognetta C, Cipresso P, Toniolo D, Riva G . The effects of a mobile stress management protocol on nurses working with cancer patients: a preliminary controlled study. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2012; 173:524-8. View

17.

Giannopoulou I . [Neurobiological inscriptions of psychological trauma during early childhood]. Psychiatriki. 2012; 23 Suppl 1:27-38. View

18.

Jovanovic T, Jambrosic Sakoman A, Kozaric-Kovacic D, Havelka Mestrovic A, Duncan E, Davis M . Acute stress disorder versus chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: inhibition of fear as a function of time since trauma. Depress Anxiety. 2012; 30(3):217-24. PMC: 3752410. DOI: 10.1002/da.21991. View

19.

Giakoumis D, Drosou A, Cipresso P, Tzovaras D, Hassapis G, Gaggioli A . Using activity-related behavioural features towards more effective automatic stress detection. PLoS One. 2012; 7(9):e43571. PMC: 3446965. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043571. View

20.

Hering D, Kara T, Kucharska W, Somers V, Narkiewicz K . High-normal blood pressure is associated with increased resting sympathetic activity but normal responses to stress tests. Blood Press. 2013; 22(3):183-7. PMC: 3951917. DOI: 10.3109/08037051.2012.759689. View