Quantitative assessment of stress levels through multi-modal physiological signal analysis

Stress has emerged as a critical public health concern in modern society, resulting in a wide range of physical and psychological disorders through its detrimental effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), endocrine system, and cardiovascular function [1]. While qualitative assessments of physical or mental stress have been used in clinical settings, the quantification of stress through objective physiological measurements remains challenging as conventional methods rely on survey-based scores. Recent advances in wearable sensor technology have enabled continuous, real-time monitoring of key physiological parameters including heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), galvanic skin response (GSR), and blood pressure [2]. This study aims to establish a comprehensive framework for the quantitative assessment of stress levels by systematically reviewing and understanding published evidence through a PRISMA-guided meta-analysis [3]. A total of 27 peer-reviewed studies were selected from PubMed and Google Scholar following rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. The analysis focuses on identifying the most reliable physiological indices capable of distinguishing different stress intensities and types. Findings indicate that HR, HRV-derived indices (particularly RMSSD and LF/HF ratio), and GSR collectively provide robust, dose-dependent markers of stress severity that are suitable for integration into composite physiological stress quantification frameworks.