Table 2.
Characteristics of devices used to measure physiological stress
Measure | Device | Characteristics |
Heart rate variability | Thin elasticated heart rate transmitter belt placed around the chest | Can detect heart rates of 25–240 beats per minute and respiratory rates of 3–70 breaths per minute |
Skin conductance | Wristwatch placed around the wrist at the same time as the thin heart rate transmitter belt | Measures skin conductance in microsiemens, 64 Hz frequency and movements with a triaxial accelerometer |
Stress biomarkers | Salivette. A synthetic cotton swab is removed from the Salivette and placed in the mouth of the participant to chew for about 1 min | The Salivette is stored at −80°C and then sent to a laboratory for analysis |