Heart Rate as an Objective Measure of Stress in Mobility

Describes a study that investigated whether heart rate is an objective measure of psychological stress in blind people while walking. The heart rates of 12 blind, partially blind, and sighted subjects were compared when the subjects traveled unguided and guided on a simple and a complex route. The heart rates of subjects who were experienced and inexperienced in travel and of those who were familiar and unfamiliar with the routes were also compared. The effect on the heart rate of critical events during the route were investigated. It was found that the heart rates of blind and partially sighted subjects were significantly higher on the unguided than on the guided route. Lack of familiarity with a route, lack of travel experience, and the complexity of a route were found to increase psychological stress and hence increase the heart rate.