Influence of emotional tension on tremor parameters in the writing process

Abstract

Background. The influence of emotional tension on writing is actively studied in the aspect of its influence on kinematic characteristics. Such approaches as machine learning, exploratory and handwriting research prevail. There are currently no studies which take into account the relationship between kinetic characteristics of writing and emotional tension. The proposed study fills the gap in this area and is part of the dissertation research. Purpose. To study the method of tensotremorography as an indicator of the presence of emotional tension in the process of writing. Methods. The spectral power of applied force, obtained by Welch's method, was analyzed during the process of writing of the prepared phrase during the presentation of the COMPASS emotional image and sound stimuli, exceeding the level of comfort, according to the kinetic characteristics of 50 subjects. Result. Noticeable significant difference between the powers at stress-inducing stimuli and non-stress-inducing stimuli. The differences between the 10th and 90th percentile of emotionally relevant stimuli is virtually indistinguishable from each other and are at the same level of spectral density (about 370 000–400 000 mN2/Hz). This supports the assumption that the response to stimulation by emotionally significant stimuli is nonspecific. Conclusion. The results of the study show that the spectral power at a frequency of 8–16 Hz is significantly higher when emotional stimuli are presented than in the absence of stimuli, or when a neutral stimulus is presented. This technique has prospects for use in the detection of hidden information, determination of emotional tension in the educational environment and medicine as a means of determining motor and nervous system diseases.