Healthc Inform Res.  2021 Jul;27(3):231-240. 10.4258/hir.2021.27.3.231.

Simple Wearable Device to Reduce Stress When Delivering a Speech without Pre-training

• Yamane T
• Nakadoi Y
• Takagi M
• Morita M

• KMID: 2519039
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2021.27.3.231

Abstract

Objectives
There are many occasions in modern life when people must deliver presentations in front of audiences. Most people feel nervous before and while giving a speech. If there were a simple way to ease their stress, speakers would be able to perform better and their quality of life would improve. Consequently, this study aimed to alleviate the stress of speakers giving speeches by regulating breathing using a simple device.
Methods
To achieve this goal, a popular device, the Apple Watch, was chosen. Twenty-eight participants were divided into two groups: the Breathe app group and the non-Breathe app group. The Breathe app group regulated their breathing using the Breathe app installed on an Apple Watch before speech preparation. The non-Breathe app group listened to an explanation of the experiment so that they could not undertake their own stress-easing strategies. Participants prepared speeches about themselves and delivered them in front of the researcher.
Results
The Breathe app exercise eased stress during the exercise itself and the preparation phase of the speech task based on participants’ cardiac activity. However, stress was not alleviated during speech delivery.
Conclusions
Based on the experimental setting and results of this study, together with the findings of previous studies, introducing pre-training sessions and performing stress-easing tasks before and/or during a speech, such as sending vibrations to participants’ wearable devices, might be an effective way to reduce stress when delivering speeches immediately after the breath-regulating task.

Keyword

Wearable Electronic Device, Speech, Anxiety, Breathing Exercises, Respiration

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Study protocol. After attachment of the electrocardiograph, the participants took a 5-minute rest, performed their assigned task for 10 minutes, prepared a speech for 10 minutes, and delivered a speech for 5 minutes. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) questionnaires were used to subjectively evaluate stress during rest and speech delivery. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was conducted to provide an objective, physiological measure of stress.

• 

  Figure 2 Differences in state anxiety of the non-Breathe app group shown in HRV and STAI-S scores, comparing the rest step to the speech preparation step and the rest step to the speech delivery step. The mean and standard deviation for HRV measures and STAI-S scores are shown on the graphs. (A) Participants from the non-Breathe app group had increased HRs during speech preparation and delivery compared to during the rest step (Dunnett test, p < 0.01). (B) Participants from the non-Breathe app group had increased LF/HF ratio during the speech preparation and delivery steps compared to during the rest step (Dunnett test, p < 0.01). (C) Participants from the non-Breathe app group had increased STAI-S scores after the speech delivery step compared to during the rest step (paired t-test, p < 0.01). STAI-S: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety), HRV: heart rate variability, HR: heart rate, HF: absolute power of high frequencies, LF: absolute power of low frequencies.

• 

  Figure 3 A) Differences in rMSSD during the breath-regulating task between the Breathe app group and non-Breathe app group. The mean and standard deviation for rMSSD are shown on the graph. Participants in the Breathe app group showed an increase in rMSSD compared to those in the non-Breathe app group (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). (B) Differences in state anxiety of the Breathe app group measured in HR, comparing the rest step to the breath-regulating task step. Both steps showed similar HRs (paired t-test). rMSSD: root mean square of successive differences, HR: heart rate.

• 

  Figure 4 Differences in HRV and STAI-S scores during the speech delivery between the Breathe app group and the non-Breathe app group. The mean and standard deviation for HRV measurements and STAI-S scores are shown on the graphs. (A) Both groups showed similar levels for HR (unpaired t-test). (B) Both groups showed similar levels for the LF/HF ratio (unpaired t-test). (C) Both groups showed similar levels for STAI-S scores (unpaired t-test). (D) Both groups showed similar levels for rMSSD (unpaired t-test). STAI-S: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety), HRV: heart rate variability, HR: heart rate, HF: absolute power of high frequencies, LF: absolute power of low frequencies, rMSSD: root mean square of successive differences.

• 

  Figure 5 Differences in HRV and STAI-S scores during speech preparation between the Breathe app group and the non-Breathe app group. The mean and standard deviation for HRV measurements and STAI-S scores are shown on the graphs. (A) Participants from the non-Breathe app group had higher HRs than the Breathe app group (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). (B) Participants from the non-Breathe app group had higher LF/HF ratios than the Breathe app group (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). (C) Both groups had similar rMSSD levels (unpaired t-test). STAI-S: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety), HRV: heart rate variability, HF: absolute power of high frequencies, LF: absolute power of low frequencies, rMSSD: root mean square of successive differences.

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