# Protocol for assessing affective responses in caregiver-infant dyads during the still-face procedure using infrared thermal imaging

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a protocol using infrared thermal imaging to study emotional responses in caregiver-infant pairs during a still-face procedure.

## Contribution

A detailed protocol for using infrared thermal imaging to assess affective responses in caregiver-infant dyads during the still-face procedure.

## Key findings

- Steps for dual thermal camera setup and synchronized video recording are outlined.
- A pipeline for preprocessing and analyzing dual ITI data is described.
- Future adaptations for studying natural interactions in typical and atypical pediatric populations are proposed.

## Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for assessing thermal affective responses in caregiver-infant dyads during the still-face procedure (SFP) using infrared thermal imaging (ITI). We describe steps for preliminary experiment design and setup and data collection. We then detail a pipeline to preprocess and analyze dual ITI data and discuss relevant technical issues. We also provide possible future adaptations of this protocol to study natural interactive exchanges in typical and atypical pediatric populations.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Nazzari et al.1

•Steps to monitor caregiver-infant emotion with infrared thermal imaging•Instructions for dual thermal camera setup and synchronized video recording•Guidance to measure autonomic and behavioral regulation in the still-face task•Procedures for thermal preprocessing and facial ROI extraction for time series

Steps to monitor caregiver-infant emotion with infrared thermal imaging

Instructions for dual thermal camera setup and synchronized video recording

Guidance to measure autonomic and behavioral regulation in the still-face task

Procedures for thermal preprocessing and facial ROI extraction for time series

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Here, we present a protocol for assessing thermal affective responses in caregiver-infant dyads during the still-face procedure (SFP) using infrared thermal imaging (ITI). We describe steps for preliminary experiment design and setup and data collection. We then detail a pipeline to preprocess and analyze dual ITI data and discuss relevant technical issues. We also provide possible future adaptations of this protocol to study natural interactive exchanges in typical and atypical pediatric populations.