Voice stress monitoring in space - Possibilities and limits

An overview of experimental investigations into the use of the voice pitch mode (F0 m) as a distance tool for the monitoring of emotional stress react ions is given. Seven experiments are summarized describing the relations be tween voice reaction and psychological and physical load in laboratory and field applications. The reactivity of F0 m to mental load depends on psycho logical personality traits. F0m is less related to physical load. The evalu ation of F0m as voice stress indicator requires an individual calibration. This calibration has to include the assessment of the individual Autonomic Outlet Type (AOT) because the physiological relevance of voice reactions de pends on the individual AOT. The calibration is based on statistical refere nce data which have to be improved in the future. The calibration has to be done under comparable environmental circumstances. A 3-yr application of t he method on board Mir station documents the applicability of the procedure .