Disturbances in Electrodermal Activity Recordings Due to Different Noises in the Environment.

Electrodermal activity (EDA) is a widely used psychophysiological measurement in laboratory-based studies. In recent times, these measurements have seen a transfer from the laboratory to wearable devices due to the simplicity of EDA measurement as well as modern electronics. However, proper conditions for EDA measurement are recommended once wearable devices are used, and the ambient conditions may influence such measurements. It is not completely known how different types of ambient noise impact EDA measurement and how this translates to wearable EDA measurement. Therefore, this study explored the effects of various noise disturbances on the generation of EDA responses using a system for the simultaneous recording of all measures of EDA, i.e., skin conductance responses (SCRs), skin susceptance responses (SSRs), and skin potential responses (SPRs), at the same skin site. The SCRs, SSRs, and SPRs due to five types of noise stimuli at different sound pressure levels (70, 75, 80, 85, and 90 dB) were measured from 40 participants. The obtained results showed that EDA responses were generated at all levels and that the EDA response magnitudes were significantly (p < 0.001) influenced by the increasing noise levels. Different types of environmental noise may elicit EDA responses and influence wearable recordings outside the laboratory, where such noises are more likely than in standardized laboratory tests. Depending on the application, it is recommended to prevent these types of unwanted variation, presenting a challenge for the quality of wearable EDA measurement in real-world conditions. Future developments to shorten the quality gap between standardized laboratory-based and wearable EDA measurements may include adding microphone sensors and algorithms to detect, classify, and process the noise-related EDA.

The Five Basic Human Senses Evoke Electrodermal Activity.

Electrodermal activity (EDA) usually relates to variations in the electrical properties of palmar or plantar skin sites. EDA responses, namely skin conductance responses (SCRs), skin potential responses (SPRs) and skin susceptance responses (SSRs) are shown to be sensitive indexes of sympathetic nervous system activation and are studied in many research projects. However, the association between EDA responses and the five basic human senses has not been investigated yet. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between the three EDA responses (SCRs, SSRs and SPRs) and the five basic human senses. These three EDA responses were measured simultaneously at the same skin site on each of the 38 volunteers. The tested five senses were sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. The results showed that the different tested senses led to different degrees of EDA responses due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system and corresponding secretion of sweat. Although a controlled study on the degree of EDA as a function of the strength of each stimulus was not performed, we noted that the largest EDA responses were typically associated with the smell sense test. We conclude that EDA responses could be utilized as measures for examining the sensitivity of the human senses. Hence, EDA devices may have important roles in sensory systems for future clinical applications.

By-products of lithotripsy: Are they related to abdominal fat and wave characteristics?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the correlations between by-products of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and some physical parameters such as abdominal fat, energy levels, and shock wave pulses. METHODS: A total of 40 patients (20 men and 20 women), aged 37.18 ± 10.64 years, with renal or ureteral stones were recruited. All patients were treated with ESWL, and their abdominal fat was measured using an Omron body fat monitor and the body mass index (BMI). Parameters such as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ketones, and protein in urine were measured before and after ESWL using a Bio Doctor Analyzer. The wave characteristics of the lithotripsy procedure and the wave pulses were determined. RESULTS: The mean levels of urinary MDA and ketones showed statistically significant increases in post-ESWL compared with pre-ESWL values. The results showed significant elevations in MDA and ketones in both male and female patients. In addition, there was a significant correlation between MDA/ketones and energy levels and between ketones and BMI in female patients. The analysis also revealed that the shock wave pulse had an insignificant impact on the by-product parameters. CONCLUSION: An energy level of ≤4 J is recommended for overweight and obese patients undergoing ESWL. In addition, measurement of the post-ESWL MDA urinary level should be performed as a routine test, especially in obese male patients.