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Gastric myoelectrical and autonomic cardiac reactivity to laboratory stressors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2001

PETER J. GIANAROS
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Research Program, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
KAREN S. QUIGLEY
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
J. TOBY MORDKOFF
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
ROBERT M. STERN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
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Abstract

We evaluated the effects of two laboratory stressors (speech preparation and isometric handgrip) on gastric myoelectrical and autonomic cardiac activity, and the extent to which autonomic responses to these stressors and somatization predict reports of motion sickness during exposure to a rotating optokinetic drum. Both stressors prompted a decrease in preejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and an increase in a dysrhythmic pattern of gastric myoelectrical activity, termed gastric tachyarrhythmia. Stressor-induced decreases in RSA and higher somatization scores predicted increased reports of motion sickness during drum rotation. These results demonstrate that laboratory stressors concurrently affect gastric myoelectrical activity and autonomic control of the heart, and that stressor-induced decreases in RSA and higher levels of somatization predict motion sickness susceptibility.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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