Real-time human core temperature estimation methods and their application in the occupational field: A systematic review

• Published in: Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation Vol. 183; p. 109776
• Main Authors: Falcone, Tiziana, Cordella, Francesca, Molinaro, Vincenzo, Zollo, Loredana, Del Ferraro, Simona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Body temperature; Estimating techniques; Estimation methods; Human core temperature; Occupational health; Performance assessment; Real time; Systematic review; Thermal strain; Thermoregulation; Wearable computers; Wearable devices; Wearable technology; Occupational health; Thermal strain; Wearable devices; Performance assessment; Human core temperature; Estimation methods
• ISSN: 0263-2241; 1873-412X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109776

•A systematic search on the real-time core temperature prediction models was done.•Sixteen articles were included according to specific eligibility criteria.•Most of the studies used predictive models based on a single physiological measure.•Most of the studies assessed the prediction model performance using two methods.•The validity of the predictive models should be confirmed in the occupational field.
The estimation of body core temperature (CT) is a central issue in the study of the human thermoregulation response in the occupational field. The objective of this systematic review was to identify the real-time CT estimation methods based on physiological measurements acquired through wearable devices.
According to the eligibility criteria, the articles published until 24th March 2020 were selected from Scopus, Pubmed and Web of Science and the potential risk of bias was assessed.
16 studies were included, which enrolled a total of 353 above all young males, with tests performed mainly in the laboratory under warm/hot environmental conditions. Several CT estimation methods were found, for which performance was evaluated with different approaches.
Promising solutions appear to be emerging from the literature to enable real-time CT estimation with a small number of wearable and non-invasive sensors for application in the occupational field.