Thermal Infrared Imaging-Based Computational Psychophysiology for Psychometrics

Area of Science:

• Computational physiology
• Biomedical engineering
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Thermal infrared imaging is explored for noninvasive, contactless assessment of human physiological and psychophysiological states.
• Facial thermal imagery provides data influenced by autonomic nervous system activity.
• Cutaneous temperature variations reflect underlying physiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the achievements of thermal infrared imaging in computational physiology.
• To highlight its capability in monitoring psychophysiological activity.
• To demonstrate its potential for assessing autonomic nervous activity.

Main Methods:

• Bioheat modeling of facial thermal imagery.
• Extraction of vital signs: localized blood perfusion, cardiac pulse, breath rate, and sudomotor response.
• Analysis of cutaneous temperature patterns.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated ability to extract multiple vital signs from facial thermal data.
• Established correlation between thermal patterns and physiological parameters.
• Evidence of inferring psychophysiological and affective states from thermal imaging.

Conclusions:

• Thermal infrared imaging is a promising tool for contactless monitoring of psychophysiological activity.
• Its application in computational physiology allows for noninvasive assessment of autonomic nervous system function.
• Further research can expand its utility in understanding human affective states.