A cold nose pointing to mental overload?

Experts are developing a new method for detecting mental stress

Researchers have now found that checking for body temperature suggests that people are under too much mental stress. For example, if people have a cold nose, it may indicate that they are mentally overwhelmed.

The scientists from the Bioengineering Research Group at the University of Nottingham found in their study that the body temperature can point to a mental overload. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Human Factors".

Nowadays, more and more people suffer from too much mental stress. The reason for this is often the workplace. A new method can determine by measuring the body temperature, if those affected are mentally overwhelmed. This is done with the help of thermal imaging cameras. (Image: Korta / fotolia.com)

Study used thermal imaging cameras to determine body temperature

Next time you have a cold nose you should not dismiss this as a lapalie. It could be that the cold nose is an important indicator of excessive mental stress. In their study, the experts used thermal imaging cameras to examine the faces of 14 volunteers as they performed highly mental tasks. The researchers found that the temperature of the nose of overwhelmed feeling people dropped by about one degree Celsius.

Cold nose can indicate overloaded brain

The scientists said that the cold nose can be a sign of overloading our brains. The blood is diverted in this case to better support the neurons. Extremities, such as the nose, are affected first because the body needs more energy to supply blood. "We expected that mental demands on a sufferer would lead to physiological changes, but the direct correlation between workload and skin temperature was very impressive," author Alastair Ritchie of the University of Nottingham said in a press release. "We did not expect the face to get colder. With this accurate method of estimating the workload, we can develop measures to help people in times of maximum stress, "adds the expert.

Thermal imaging cameras could be used to monitor pilots in the future

For example, the new technology could be used in the future to monitor the body temperature of employees remotely. In this way, it could be quickly and easily determined whether those affected are mentally overburdened without these employees being disturbed in their work, the scientists explain. The experts suggest, for example, that thermal imaging cameras are used in aircraft cockpits to check the mental pressure on the pilots. The team is already working with Airbus on such a project.

Thermal imaging cameras could increase safety on flights

When pilots suffer from increased stress or tiredness, this can lead to serious consequences. Especially in recent years, this problem has occurred again and again. Especially remembered most people would be an accident of the airline Germanwings in 2015. This was caused by a pilot who was already treated for suicidal thoughts. The patient was declared unfit for work by his doctor, but he did not share this information with his employer. Developing an advanced pilots mental health monitoring system would be an important step in a safety-critical sector.

Determine workload with non-invasive methods

Specialists have been working for some years to find workload measurement measures without having to interrupt the working person. In the meantime, the experts have developed a much better understanding of what physical changes are associated with workload, how they manifest as physiological symptoms, and how these symptoms translate into measurable parameters. The aim is to determine the workload with non-invasive methods. Of all approaches, facial thermography is the least intrusive and has proven to be an excellent method, explain the authors. (As)