APPLIED
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY: BIOFEEDBACK
Measures of awareness:
The awareness levels of stress in people can be measured quantitatively in terms
of how fast their heart is beating as they prepare to face a stressful situation
like talking to strangers or an exam. Some of the parameters used to determine
stress are heart rate, blood pressure, temperature of fingers or toes (peripheral
blood flow), EMG (electromyography -- muscle tension), EEG (electroencephelography
-- brain waves), EDR (electrodermal response -- palmar sweating).
Palmar sweating is one
of the characteristic reactions to stress marked by increased sweating in the
palms and soles of the feet. It occurs because of increased sweat gland activity
in response to stress.