title: A non-contact technique for measuring eccrine sweat gland activity using passive thermal imaging.
abstract: An approach for monitoring eccrine sweat gland activity using high resolution Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) imaging (3-5 μm wave band) is described. This technique is non-contact, passive, and provides high temporal and spatial resolution. Pore activity was monitored on the face and on the volar surfaces of the distal and medial phalanges of the index and middle fingers while participants performed a series of six deep inhalation and exhalation exercises. Two metrics called the Pore Activation Index (PAI) and Pore Count (PC) were defined as size-weighted and unweighted measures of active sweat gland counts respectively. PAI transient responses on the finger tips were found to be positively correlated to Skin Conductance Responses (SCRs). PAI responses were also observed on the face, although the finger sites appeared to be more responsive. Results indicate that thermal imaging of the pore response may provide a useful, non-contact, correlate measure for electrodermal responses recorded from related sites.
authors: U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate, Ft. Belvoir, VA, United States. Electronic address: info@nvl.army.mil.
authors: Alan T
authors: AT
authors: Krzywicki
authors: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Berntson
authors: U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate, Ft. Belvoir, VA, United States.
authors: Barbara L
authors: BL
authors: O'Kane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Eccrine Sweat Glands; Electrodermal Activity; Pore Activation Index; Pore Count; Skin Conductance; Thermal Imaging