Evaluation of driver stress using biomarker in motor-vehicle driving simulator.
Employing the analysis of a biomarker, an oculomotor angle and a subjective evaluation, we have examined the acute, psychological effect human stress of driving using a motor-vehicle driving simulator. Salivary amylase is used as a biomarker, as it is considered to be one of the indicators of sympathetic nervous activity. 20 healthy female subjects in their early twenties were enrolled in this study. The time-course change of their salivary amylase activity (sAMY) is analyzed before and during the driving. At the same time, using a questionnaire, subjective evaluations are conducted with each subject. As for comparison, the effect of operating a car navigation device, which is not directly associated with driving, is also evaluated. Our results indicate that the psychological effect of driving-induced stress, a condition that can not be easily detected or recognized by a subjective evaluation, is quickly quantified using a biomarker in saliva. Moreover, the results suggest that operation of a non-driving-related device may also reduce the capacity to concentrate on driving. These data imply that evaluation of driver stress using a biomarker can be very useful for improvement of safety during driving.
Yamaguchi
M
M
Graduate Sch. of Sci. & Eng. for Res., Toyama Univ, Toyama, 930-8555 Japan.
Wakasugi
J
J
Sakakima
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D015415:Biomarkers; D000681:Amylases