Integrative Analysis of Stress During Academic Exams Using Wearable Sensor Data
İzmir Tepecik Eğitim Hastanesi Dergisi, cilt.36, sa.2, ss.132-141, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 36 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/anatoljmed.2026.09226
- Dergi Adı: İzmir Tepecik Eğitim Hastanesi Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.132-141
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective
To comprehensively analyze students’ physiological stress responses and their relationship with academic performance by using heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA) data collected via wearable sensors during academic examinations.
Methods
This study utilized the publicly available wearable exam stress dataset from PhysioNet. HRV and EDA data were recorded using Empatica E4 wristbands worn by ten university students during three exam sessions (midterm 1, midterm 2, and final). HRV parameters [low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), LF/HF] and the tonic and phasic components of EDA were extracted. Differences between sessions were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, while correlations with exam grades were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. In addition, individual variability and the relationship between HRV and EDA were examined on a session-by-session basis.
Results
Among HRV parameters, LF power (p=-0.440, p=0.015) and LF/HF ratio (p=-0.363, p=0.048) showed significant negative correlations with academic performance. Mean EDA values did not significantly differ across sessions (p>0.7); however, phasic components indicated increased arousal during the midterm 2 session. Correlations between EDA and grades were negative in midterm 1 (p=-0.552) and moderately positive in the final (p=0.406). Combined analysis of HRV and EDA data revealed concurrent autonomic dysregulation and acute stress responses, particularly during the midterm 2 session.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that academic examinations are associated with heterogeneous autonomic nervous system response patterns among students. The integrated evaluation of HRV and EDA contributes to a more comprehensive characterization of physiological stress responses at both the group and individual levels. Wearable sensor-derived physiological data may offer a useful framework for informing future research on stress monitoring and the development of individualized support approaches in academic settings.