Physiological Assessment of Resting RSA is a measure of the neural regulation of the heart’s pacemaker via the myelinated fibers of the “smart” vagus (Oveis et al., 2009). This approach is ideally suited to representing the dyadic context of interpersonal empathy, and makes it possible to simultaneously analyze both empathic sensitivity (the degree to which Partner A’s moment-by-moment estimates of B’s affect are associated with corresponding fluctuations in B’s moment-by-moment self-reports) and perceived concordance (the degree to which Partner A’s moment by-moment estimates of B’s affect are associated with corresponding fluctuations in A’s own moment-by-moment self-reports).
Heart Rate Variability is the measure of the time interval between heartbeats. It is associated with emotion arousal.
Stress and Immune Function are a measure of emotional and physical health. It can be measured through the hormone cortisol.
Autonomic Nervous System function can be used as a measure of nonverbal communication of compassion. E.g. arterial blood pressure and skin temperature.