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How high is the stress Level?

Bormans, S.R. (2021) How high is the stress Level?

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Abstract:Toxic stress is a problem influencing babies worldwide, having a potentially significant negative influence on the baby's development. The problem is not easily solved due to the difference in sensitivity to stress and the stressors differing from baby to baby. Also, the babies' inability to communicate with their environment is a major stumbling block in finding out and solving the common stress the babies experience. The present methods and techniques to tackle the problem fail to look objective to the situation or are not fully proven to be effective. Therefore, this research aims to make an unobtrusive device that can monitor the stress level of babies and thereby notify the stress indicators of the babies to the caretaker(s). By looking into the literature and the present state-of-the-art, it was found that measuring the heart rate combined with the movement and cortisol level of the baby had the most chance of finding and validating the stress response of the baby. Evaluating different feedback concepts with specialists concluded that the caretakers getting feedback via an application is the best method of receiving feedback on the baby's stress response(s). A concept is developed and realised, consisting of two parts. The first part consists of one sensor module containing a pulse sensor and two sensor modules containing movement sensors. All of the modules are put on plasters for easy placement. The second part is a concept application giving the caretakers feedback about the status regarding the baby's stress. Evaluating the two prototypes based on user usability testing, it is still not found if the used sensor modules are able to measure a stress response by having inconclusive data. The second prototype, the application, is also being concluded by usability testing. It is seen to be a great first step in realising a great feedback method for the caretakers but not as an end product to be used in the real world. All in all, as both realisations did not come with satisfactory results, this research's realisations and concept can still be seen as a good foundation to use when the concept is further developed.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Clients:
IMH Nederland, Netherlands
ZGT, Netherlands
Faculty:EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Programme:Creative Technology BSc (50447)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/89213
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