Environmental temperature changes as stress stimulus

• Published in: 2016 Global Medical Engineering Physics Exchanges/Pan American Health Care Exchanges (GMEPE/PAHCE) pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Garzon-Rey, J.M., Arza, A., Salama, A. A. K., Caja, G., Aguilo, J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: IEEE 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Biochemical markers; Biomarkers; Blood; Climatic chambers; Exchange; Humidity; Media; Medical services; Physiological parameters; Psychometric tests; Quantitative neuropsychiatry; Relative humidity; Saliva; Stress; Stress induced by temperature; Stresses; Visualization
• ISSN: 2327-817X
• DOI: 10.1109/GMEPE-PAHCE.2016.7504666

This article presents the preliminary results of the stress response in 17 healthy young people under high temperature and humidity as a stressor stimulus. The aim of this study is to determine the variations on stress biomarkers due to prolonged exposure to an environment characterized by high temperature (35 °C) and high relative humidity (45%). The experimental protocol proposed as stress biomarkers recording skin temperature, electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, pulse wave, skin conductance, electromyography, blood samples and saliva to determine: Prolactin, Co-pectina, Glucose, Cortisol and a-amylase. Additionally, psychometric tests and Trail Making Test was applied. The measurement session consisted of seven hours divided into three phases where stress biomarkers are recorded: 1) Ambient Control (2 hours at 20°C and 45% of humidity), habituation to climatic chamber and sensors, 2) Thermal stress (2 hours at 35°C and 45% humidity), 3) Returning to control (2 hours at 20° C and 45% humidity). Preliminary analysis of the results shows that during the second phase of the session changes occur in the levels of a-amylase saliva and blood prolactin. The visual analogue scale is most sensitive among applied test.