Cluster-based analysis for personalized stress evaluation using physiological signals

IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. 2015 Jan;19(1):275-81. doi: 10.1109/JBHI.2014.2311044.

Abstract

Technology development in wearable sensors and biosignal processing has made it possible to detect human stress from the physiological features. However, the intersubject difference in stress responses presents a major challenge for reliable and accurate stress estimation. This research proposes a novel cluster-based analysis method to measure perceived stress using physiological signals, which accounts for the intersubject differences. The physiological data are collected when human subjects undergo a series of task-rest cycles, incurring varying levels of stress that is indicated by an index of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Next, a quantitative measurement of stress is developed by analyzing the physiological features in two steps: 1) a k -means clustering process to divide subjects into different categories (clusters), and 2) cluster-wise stress evaluation using the general regression neural network. Experimental results show a significant improvement in evaluation accuracy as compared to traditional methods without clustering. The proposed method is useful in developing intelligent, personalized products for human stress management.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Female
  • Galvanic Skin Response
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Oximetry / methods
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology