Cited by 70Non-Invasive Vital Sign MonitoringCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionHeart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control

Comparison of photoplethysmogram measured from wrist and finger and the effect of measurement location on pulse arrival time

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Rajala, Satu, Lindholm, Harri, Taipalus, Tapio·2018·Physiological Measurement

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to compare photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals measured from the wrist and finger and to evaluate if wrist PPG signal could be used to calculate pulse arrival time (PAT), the time delay between electrocardiogram (ECG) R peak and a feature (e.g. peak, foot, first derivative peak) in the PPG signal. Further, the correlation between pulse wave velocity (rePWV, defined as PWV from ECG R peak to extremity) and systolic blood pressure was studied. APPROACH: Thirty subjects were measured at rest by a trained research nurse. For reference measurement, chest ECG and finger PPG were measured using commercial sensors. Wrist PPG and arm ECG were measured with a custom-made setup, where the PPG sensor was located at the back surface of the forearm. MAIN RESULTS: Reference finger and wrist PPG signals were found to differ in shape and also in amplitude. The PPG foot or first derivative peak detection methods seemed to be the most suitable methods for wrist PAT calculation. The Pearson correlation coefficient between blood pressure and rePWV was found to be 0.44 for the reference finger measurement and 0.37 for the wrist measurement. SIGNIFICANCE: Wrist PPG signal is widely used in optical heart rate monitors. Based on the results obtained in this study, wrist PPG signal may be used also for PAT calculation. The use of PAT for blood pressure estimation still has challenges, but PAT as such could be used as an interesting indicator of vascular health.

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Authors
Rajala, S., Lindholm, H., & Taipalus, T.
Affiliations
Nokia (Finland) (FI)
Corresponding author
Rajala, Satu
Venue
Physiological Measurement
Published
2018-07-01
Volume
39
Issue
7
Pages
075010
ISSN
  • 0967-3334 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-6579
OpenAlex
W2804099118
Cited by
70
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1
FWCI
3.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Physiological Measurement (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
Keywords
photoplethysmogram, finger PPG, pulse arrival time, pulse wave velocity, measurement location, systolic blood pressure, vascular health
MeSH terms
Adult, Electrocardiography, Female, Fingers, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Wrist, Photoplethysmography, Pulse Wave Analysis

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