RESUMEN
Significance: The study of sublingual microcirculation offers valuable insights into vascular changes and overcomes some limitations of peripheral microcirculation assessment. Videomicroscopy and pulse oximetry have been used to assess microcirculation, providing insights into organ perfusion beyond macrohemodynamics parameters. However, both techniques have important limitations that preclude their use in clinical practice. Aim: To address this, we propose a non-invasive approach using photoplethysmography (PPG) to assess microcirculation. Approach: Two experiments were performed on different samples of 31 subjects. First, multi-wavelength, finger PPG signals were compared before and while applying pressure on the sensor to determine if PPG signals could detect changes in peripheral microcirculation. For the second experiment, PPG signals were acquired from the ventral region of the tongue, aiming to assess the microcirculation through features calculated from the PPG signal and its first derivative. Results: In experiment 1, 13 out of 15 features extracted from green PPG signals showed significant differences (p<0.05) before and while pressure was applied to the sensor, suggesting that green light could detect flow distortion in superficial capillaries. In experiment 2, 15 features showed potential application of PPG signal for sublingual microcirculation assessment. Conclusions: The PPG signal and its first derivative have the potential to effectively assess microcirculation when measured from the fingertip and the tongue. The assessment of sublingual microcirculation was done through the extraction of 15 features from the green PPG signal and its first derivative. Future studies are needed to standardize and gain a deeper understanding of the evaluated features.
Asunto(s)
Luz Verde , Suelo de la Boca , Humanos , Valores de Referencia , Microcirculación , FotopletismografíaRESUMEN
Physiological coherence has been related with a general sense of well-being and improvements in health and physical, social, and cognitive performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between acute stress, controlled breathing, and physiological coherence, and the degree of body systems synchronization during a coherence-generation exercise. Thirty-four university employees were evaluated during a 20-min test consisting of four stages of 5-min duration each, during which basal measurements were obtained (Stage 1), acute stress was induced using validated mental stressors (Stroop test and mental arithmetic task, during Stage 2 and 3, respectively), and coherence states were generated using a controlled breathing technique (Stage 4). Physiological coherence and cardiorespiratory synchronization were assessed during each stage from heart rate variability, pulse transit time, and respiration. Coherence measurements derived from the three analyzed variables increased during controlled respiration. Moreover, signals synchronized during the controlled breathing stage, implying a cardiorespiratory synchronization was achieved by most participants. Hence, physiological coherence and cardiopulmonary synchronization, which could lead to improvements in health and better life quality, can be achieved using slow, controlled breathing exercises. Meanwhile, coherence measured during basal state and stressful situations did not show relevant differences using heart rate variability and pulse transit time. More studies are needed to evaluate the ability of coherence ratio to reflect acute stress.