Can Thermal Comfort be Evaluated from Brain Activity?
【Supercategory：7. DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Subcategory：7.47 Vol.47】
ABSTRACT
Human thermal perception is essential for adapting to environmental conditions and is divided into two main components: thermal sensation and thermal comfort. This research employed electroencephalogram measurement alongside dipole and event-related spectrum perturbation analysis to clarify the spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity associated with thermal perception. In Experiment 1, we analyzed brain activity patterns associated with thermal sensation when exposed to localized cold and warm stimuli. Experiment 2 focused on brain activity patterns associated with thermal comfort, using a combination of whole-body and localized thermal stimuli. The results indicated that overlapping brain regions, such as the right anterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex, were activated in response to thermal sensation, with distinct temporal activity patterns observed between cold and warm stimuli. Regarding thermal comfort, the anterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and insular cortex were implicated, with unique spatiotemporal activity patterns distinguishing comfort from discomfort. These results indicate that thermal perception is processed through different neural oscillation patterns within distinct brain regions.
DECENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.47/The DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE
Human thermal perception is essential for adapting to environmental conditions and is divided into two main components: thermal sensation and thermal comfort. This research employed electroencephalogram measurement alongside dipole and event-related spectrum perturbation analysis to clarify the spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity associated with thermal perception. In Experiment 1, we analyzed brain activity patterns associated with thermal sensation when exposed to localized cold and warm stimuli. Experiment 2 focused on brain activity patterns associated with thermal comfort, using a combination of whole-body and localized thermal stimuli. The results indicated that overlapping brain regions, such as the right anterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex, were activated in response to thermal sensation, with distinct temporal activity patterns observed between cold and warm stimuli. Regarding thermal comfort, the anterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and insular cortex were implicated, with unique spatiotemporal activity patterns distinguishing comfort from discomfort. These results indicate that thermal perception is processed through different neural oscillation patterns within distinct brain regions.
DECENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.47/The DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE
| Researcher | Hironori Watanabe*1, Kei Nagashima*1, Satoshi Shibuya*2, Taisuke Sugi*1 |
|---|---|
| University or institution | *1 Waseda University, *1 Kyorin University |
Keywords
thermal perception, thermal sensation, eeg, dipole analysis, ersp analysis