Key result
Analysis of RR intervals revealed that stressful phases produced a lower Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) compared to relaxation and no activity.
Why the study?
Heart rate alone poorly differentiates physical activity, stress, relaxation, and rest, motivating evaluation of whether RR interval metrics can distinguish these states using minimal wearable sensors.
Does RR interval analysis using a portable ECG distinguish between stress, physical activity, relaxation, and rest?
Observational (n=5)
No
Does RR interval analysis using a portable ECG distinguish between stress, physical activity, relaxation, and rest?
RR interval analysis, specifically using RMSSD from a portable ECG, may allow for the distinction between physical activity, stress, relaxation, and rest without the need for additional sensors.
RMSSD reduction in stress may enable portable ECG monitoring; leaves open prospective validation for reliable state differentiation.
Methods based exclusively on heart rate hardly allow to differentiate between physical activity, stress, relaxation, and rest, that is why an additional sensor like activity/movement sensor added for detection and classification. The response of the heart to physical activity, stress, relaxation, and no activity can be very similar. In this study, we can observe the influence of induced stress and analyze which metrics could be considered for its detection. The changes in the Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences provide us with information about physiological changes. A set of measurements collecting the RR intervals was taken. The intervals are used as a parameter to distinguish four different stages. Parameters like skin conductivity or skin temperature were not used because the main aim is to maintain a minimum number of sensors and devices and thereby to increase the wearability in the future.
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Scherz et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Healthy subjects (n=5). Mental stress and physical activity vs. Relaxation and no activity was evaluated on Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) of RR intervals. Analysis of RR intervals revealed that stressful phases produced a lower Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) compared to relaxation and no activity.
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