Design and Verification of an Aromatherapy Feedback System for Mental Fatigue Based on Physiological Signals

Mental fatigue is a prevalent issue in contemporary society and can negatively affect physical performance and concentration, increasing the likelihood of adverse consequences due to inattention during productive activities. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to address and eliminate fatigue within a specific period of time. Aromatherapy, as a form of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM), is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and efficient method to combat fatigue. Previous studies have assessed the effects of specific aromatherapy oils using scales, but there is a lack of objective and reliable physiological indicators to prove the effectiveness of aromatherapy. Hence, this paper seeks to establish a model illustrating the effects of aromatic essential oil gases on the human body. A multimodal physiological fatigue signal acquisition system that integrates aromatherapy feedback was designed. In addition, an experimental paradigm was developed to explore the potential of aromatherapy in mitigating mental fatigue. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were collected, allowing for the analysis of time-frequency domain features in EEG and ECG signals, as well as Heart Rate Variability (HRV) features in ECG signals. Our findings indicate that specific aromatic gases demonstrate effectiveness in reducing mental fatigue. Furthermore, we employed the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm to classify the state of human mental fatigue. Based on the classification results, the release of aromatic gas was controlled to provide targeted aromatic feedback. This innovative approach offers a promising avenue for objectively assessing and addressing mental fatigue through aromatherapy interventions.