Hybrid System of Emotion Evaluation in Physiotherapeutic Procedures.

Patrycja Romaniszyn-Kania,Ewa Piętka,Andrzej P Myśliwiec,Damian Kania,Andrzej W Mitas,Anita Pollak,Marta Danch-Wierzchowska

doi:10.3390/s20216343

Abstract

Nowadays, the dynamic development of technology allows for the design of systems based on various information sources and their integration into hybrid expert systems. One of the areas of research where such systems are especially helpful is emotion analysis. The sympathetic nervous system controls emotions, while its function is directly reflected by the electrodermal activity (EDA) signal. The presented study aimed to develop a tool and propose a physiological data set to complement the psychological data. The study group consisted of 41 students aged from 19 to 26 years. The presented research protocol was based on the acquisition of the electrodermal activity signal using the Empatica E4 device during three exercises performed in a prototype Disc4Spine system and using the psychological research methods. Different methods (hierarchical and non-hierarchical) of subsequent data clustering and optimisation in the context of emotions experienced were analysed. The best results were obtained for the k-means classifier during Exercise 3 (80.49%) and for the combination of the EDA signal with negative emotions (80.48%). A comparison of accuracy of the k-means classification with the independent division made by a psychologist revealed again the best results for negative emotions (78.05%).

Highlights

In addition to specific knowledge and qualifications, working with a patient during physiotherapy requires taking care of the communication process and developing positive relationships [1,2].Emotions experienced during therapy are a reaction of the individual in the form of cognitive evaluation and psychophysiological responses to the physical injury and the effects of treatment achieved in the context of further functioning [3,4]
Knowledge of emotions allows for a better understanding of coping strategies used in stressful situations and the development of intervention methods aimed at arousing positive emotions, which are a manifestation of health and represent a factor that favours physiological, psychological, and social processes that improve well-being [5,6,7]
In this paper we propose an objective emotion measurement approach based on the electrodermal activity signal and its comparison with medically approved psychological tests

Summary

Introduction

In addition to specific knowledge and qualifications, working with a patient during physiotherapy requires taking care of the communication process and developing positive relationships [1,2].Emotions experienced during therapy are a reaction of the individual in the form of cognitive evaluation and psychophysiological responses to the physical injury and the effects of treatment achieved in the context of further functioning [3,4]. An individual evaluates the elements of the relationship with the environment that are important for his or her well-being and assesses whether the situation represents harm or loss, a threat or a challenge and whether they have sufficient resources to cope with the situation. All these assessments are associated with characteristic emotions [7]. Emotions stimulate an individual to be active and lead him or her to seek ways to relieve or endure stress or to find benefits of stressful events [4] This model is complemented by studies published by Folkman [9] and Folkman and Moscowitz [7] on the importance of positive emotions for coping with stress. A review of studies on the consequences of negative emotions shows that they are harmful to biological health [10]

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