Computational Physiology Lab, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Sci Rep. 2012;2:305. doi: 10.1038/srep00305. Epub 2012 Mar 6.
In the present study we quantify stress by measuring transient perspiratory responses on the perinasal area through thermal imaging. These responses prove to be sympathetically driven and hence, a likely indicator of stress processes in the brain. Armed with the unobtrusive measurement methodology we developed, we were able to monitor stress responses in the context of surgical training, the quintessence of human dexterity. We show that in dexterous tasking under critical conditions, novices attempt to perform a task's step equally fast with experienced individuals. We further show that while fast behavior in experienced individuals is afforded by skill, fast behavior in novices is likely instigated by high stress levels, at the expense of accuracy. Humans avoid adjusting speed to skill and rather grow their skill to a predetermined speed level, likely defined by neurophysiological latency.
在本研究中，我们通过热成像测量鼻周区域的瞬态出汗反应来量化应激。这些反应被证明是由交感神经系统驱动的，因此可能是大脑应激过程的一个指标。我们利用开发的非侵入性测量方法，能够监测手术训练过程中的应激反应，这是人类灵巧性的精髓所在。我们表明，在关键条件下的灵巧任务中，新手试图与经验丰富的个体以相同的速度完成任务的步骤。我们进一步表明，虽然经验丰富的个体的快速行为是由技能提供的，但新手的快速行为可能是由高水平的压力引起的，这是以牺牲准确性为代价的。人类避免根据技能调整速度，而是将技能提高到预定的速度水平，这可能是由神经生理延迟定义的。
