A geometric approach to human stress based on stress-related surrogate measures

Abstract

We present a predictive Geometric Stress Index (pGSI) and its relation to behavioural Entropy (b[E]). b[E] is a measure of the complexity of an organisms reactivity to stressors yielding patterns based on different behavioural and physiological variables selected as surrogate markers of stress (SMS). We present a relationship between pGSI and b[E] in terms of a power law model. This nonlinear relationship describes congruences in complexity derived from analyses of observable and measurable SMS patterns interpreted as stress. The adjective geometric refers to subdivision(s) of the domain derived from two SMS (heart rate variability and steps frequency) with respect to a positive/negative binary perceptron based on a third SMS (blood oxygenation). The presented power law allows for both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the consequences of stress measured by pGSI. In particular, we show that elevated stress levels in terms of pGSI leads to a decrease of the b[E] of the blood oxygenation as a model of SMS.