Smart Chair Based On Fiber Bragg Grating Technology for Cardiorespiratory Monitoring in Video Terminal Workers

Technological developments over the past few decades have drastically changed work environments, prioritizing cognitive over physical activity, thus resulting in an increase of video terminal workers. Monitoring the psychophysical status of workers may be performed by physiological indicators like respiratory (RR) and heart rate (HR), as their alteration frequently refer to worker’s stress conditions. Nearable technologies like instrumented chairs and cushions are gaining momentum in this scenario due to their unobtrusive nature enabling long-term monitoring without compromising user comfort and mobility. Among sensing solutions employed in the framework of physiological monitoring, fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBGs) are emerging as promising one due to their several advantages over electrical sensors. This study reports a smart chair equipped with a circular, flexible FBG-based sensing element in its backrest conceived for cardiorespiratory monitoring of video terminal workers. The performance of the proposed system in the estimation of RR and HR were assessed in five healthy volunteers under both physiological and pathological breathing conditions (i.e., quiet breathing and tachypnea). Results demonstrate the potential of this nearable device for HR and RR monitoring in occupational settings.