--- title: Energy Balance slug: insights/energy-balance description: Learn how to measure and understand the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) balance, which affects recovery and stress levels, in this document. Discover how ANS balance plays a role in mental health and wellbeing, and how it can be calculated using parameters docTags: createdAt: 2023-07-12T09:38:14.865Z --- The **Energy Balance metric** reflects the equilibrium within our body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS regulates nearly all unconscious functions and processes in the body such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. It operates through two complementary parts: the **sympathetic** and **parasympathetic** nervous systems, which ideally should remain balanced throughout the day. - The sympathetic nervous system acts as the body’s "gas pedal," enabling quick responses in stressful situations, like the "fight-or-flight" response. It releases adrenaline, raising heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, and therefore **consumes energy.** - Conversely, the parasympathetic nervous system serves as the "brake pedal" or "battery charger," promoting rest, relaxation, and recovery. It lowers heart rate and blood pressure and helps the body recharge, **conserving energy** and aiding in recovery. The **Energy Balance **metric quantifies the relationship between these two systems, offering insight into the body’s current state. Understanding one’s **Energy Balance** is key to managing emotional self-control, executive function, and stress responses. When the autonomic nervous system is imbalanced or overloaded, symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues can arise. By monitoring the Energy Balance, users can make more informed decisions about activities and goals, working in harmony with their body’s current state for optimal well-being. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/_0R_DnpmBBLLXmaoWvG2u/HTyJrV_JS_4hFfq9GQAwb_image.png" size="50" width="704" height="1089" position="center" showCaption="false"} # How is it calculated? The Energy Balance results from the calculation of the PNS and SNS indices. The starting point for the calculation of these two indices is the photoplethysmogram signal (PPG signal) acquired from the face. The PNS index is based on the following parameters (compared to their normal population values): - Mean RR interval; - Root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD); - Poincaré plot index SD1 in normalized units. The SNS index, on the other hand, is calculated using the following parameters: - Mean HR interval; - Baevsky's stress index (SI); - Poincaré plot index SD2 in normalized units. **When is the first reading available?** The Energy Balance is available after the first Face Scan. As more Face Scans are performed and questions answerred throughout the processes, the baseline gets established and confidence increases. # Accuracy A benchmarking study was performed to compare the video-derived Energy Balance score from the simultaneous calculated contact PPG signal-derived Energy Balance. All subjects were asked to complete a mathematical exercise during measurement to increase their SNS activity. A clear shift towards SNS activity can be observed, which was also picked up by the IntelliProve algorithms. **In 96% of the cases where an increased SNS activity was observed through the use of a contact PPG signal, the IntelliProve algorithms also correctly indicated a shift towards SNS activity**. # How can it be used? Our overall wellbeing and feeling of **mental resilience** is generally regulated by our ANS. Many studies show a good correlation between an ANS balance shift towards SNS and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mental health issues. Leveraging the Energy Balance metric holds significant therapeutic benefits, allowing for tailored wellbeing interventions aimed at restoring this balance. By doing so, a more personalized and effective feedback mechanism can be achieved. Furthermore, individuals facing elevated or chronic mental health challenges may encounter difficulties in reducing the SNS activity and require additional active training or support. Addressing these nuances can substantially enhance the overall efficiency of therapy. :::hint{type="info"} When an energy imbalance is detected, this is the **starting point** of personalised feedback to take action. **Detect** underlying issues through a short questionnaire, **connect** with a therapist or other healthcare provider, **recommend** stress management modules and/or **guide** the user to relevant platform content/offerings. ::: ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/_0R_DnpmBBLLXmaoWvG2u/5GIAwAP1YtcqSQt-vZ7wt_example-ans.png" size="80" width="1788" height="938" position="center" showCaption="false"} # Interpreting results The Energy Balance is returned as an integer on a scale of -5 to 5 and can be requested as a [Widget](docId\:oORapCkooI6-89xrAfduV) or via the [Rest API](docId\:BiuPVixvHltbukKLR2ATI). ## Definitions | **Name** | **Unit** | **Range** | **programmatic name** | **Health Profile** | | -------------- | --------------- | --------- | --------------------- | ------------------ | | Energy Balance | Percentage \[%] | 0 - 100 | `energy_balance` | Energy & Sleep | ## Values | **Value** | **Meaning** | **Zone** | **Example User Text** | | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | \<33 | unbalanced: significant sympathetic or parasympathetic dominance | Red | Your Energy Balance indicates a significant dominance of the sympathetic or parasympathetic branch. The body is experiencing deeper levels of stress, fatigue or excessive recovery activity. | | 33-66 | Nearly balanced | Yellow | Your Energy Balance indicates a greater dominance of the parasympathetic or sympathetic branch. This indicates greater than usual stress or increased recovery activity, often in response to cumulative stress**. **For improved results, consider lighter exercise and/or reducing stressful activities. | | 66-100 | balanced | Green | Your Energy Balance indicates the balance between recovery and physiological stress (both physical and mental). The body is typically the most flexible and capable when the Energy Balance is in equilibrum**.** | :::hint{type="info"} **The table above shows** - **Value: **The possible values for the health insight - **Meaning: **What does the value mean - **Zone: **Indication of how good the measured value is. Ranges from red (outside typical range) to green (optimal) - **Example user text: **An example of what could be communicated to the user in case this value is measured. ::: # Scientific papers - Nitzan M, Babchenko A, Khanokh B, Landau D. The variability of the photoplethysmographic signal--a potential method for the evaluation of the autonomic nervous system. Physiol Meas. 1998 Feb;19(1):93-102. - Budidha K, Kyriacou PA. 2019. Photoplethysmography for quantitative assessment of sympathetic nervous activity during cold stress. Front Physiol. 10:331. - Udhayakumar R, Rahman S, Buxi D, Macefield VG, Dawood T, Mellor N, Karmakar C. Measurement of stress-induced sympathetic nervous activity using multi-wavelength PPG. R Soc Open Sci. 2023 Aug 30;10(8):221382.