Investigating the effects of temperature on photoplethysmography
Open accessAbstract
Pulse oximetry is a commonly used technique to determine arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) and heart rate. This method uses photoplethysmography (PPG) signals to estimate SpO 2 . However, pulse oximeters can be less accurate at cold temperatures. In this research, the effects of temperature on PPG signal quality was investigated for a group of 20 adult volunteers. Raw PPG data was obtained using a custom pulse oximeter (PO) system. Three tests were performed with the subject's hand maintained at baseline, cold, and warm temperatures. Analysis showed the median PPG signal RMS, as an indicator of signal-to-noise, for the warm test was 0.0289 V [IQR = 0.0262 - 0.0315 V] compared to the baseline test's 0.0174 V [IQR = 0.0104 - 0.0285 V] and the cold test's 0.0066 V [IQR = 0.0053 - 0.0106V]. This improvement of up to 4x in signal quality was associated with a closer match between the SpO 2 values estimated by the PO system and a commercial pulse oximeter. Paired RMS value comparison between the three tests showed a statistically significant difference for all P-values (P < 0.004). Results indicate that warm temperatures improve PPG quality and thus pulse oximeter accuracy.
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PPG quality is improved with warm temperatures.
“The authors conclude that PPG quality is improved with warm temperatures, yet do not mention the effect of thermoregulatory responses [155].”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [154]
There is a reduction in PPG Root Mean Square values as ambient temperatures went from warm to cold temperatures.
“Khan et al. investigated the effects of finger temperature on PPG signal on 20 healthy adult volunteers (24.5 ± 4.1 years of age), reporting a reduction in PPG Root Mean Square values as ambient temperatures went from warm to cold temperatures [154].”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [154]
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Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring
Fine, J., Branan, K. L., Rodriguez, A. J., Boonya-ananta, T., Ajmal, Ramella-Roman, J. C., McShane, M. J., & Coté, G. L. (2021) · Biosensors · doi:10.3390/bios11040126 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
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“Researchers have identified several factors that influence the accuracy of PPG-based measurements, including skin temperature, sensor contact pressure, skin thickness, and hydration level [5,6].”
- Authors
- Khan, M., Pretty, C. G., Amies, A. C., Elliott, R., Shaw, G. M., & Chase, J. G.
- Affiliations
- University of Canterbury (NZ)
- Christchurch Hospital (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Khan, Musabbir
- Chase, J. Geoffrey
- Venue
- IFAC-PapersOnLine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 20
- Pages
- 360-365
- ISSN
- 2405-8963 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2212541523
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 0.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- IFAC-PapersOnLine (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
- Keywords
- photoplethysmography, pulse oximetry, temperature effects, arterial oxygen saturation, signal quality, signal-to-noise ratio, low temperature, pulse oximeter accuracy, hand temperature
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