title: Evaluation of driver stress in a motor-vehicle driving simulator using a biochemical marker.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate salivary amylase activity (sAMY) as an indicator of the acute psychological effects of driving. The influence of the operation of a device not directly associated with driving was also estimated using a car navigation system. The psychological effects of driving were examined using sAMY analysis, oculomotor angle and subjective evaluation with a questionnaire, and the methods were compared. The change in sAMY over time was analysed before and during driving. The results indicate that the psychological effect of driving-induced stress, a condition that cannot be easily detected or recognized by a subjective evaluation, is quickly quantified using sAMY. Moreover, the results suggest that the operation of a non-driving-related device may also reduce the driver's capacity to concentrate on driving.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Engineering for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. yamag@eng.u-toyama.ac.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sakakima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000681:Amylases