Skin resistance parameters and low-frequency heart rate variability increased significantly during recurrent anticipatory stress, while heart rate increased only in individuals with higher neuroticism.
Observational (n=53)
No
Do measures of heart rhythm and skin resistance change during recurrent anticipatory stress, and does neuroticism influence these responses?
Skin resistance and low-frequency heart rate variability may be reliable markers for detecting recurrent anticipatory stress, while heart rate responses are influenced by individual neuroticism levels.
p-value: p=<0.001
In the risk assessment of work-related mental stress, the use of objective psychophysiological methods could improve the identification of mental stressors. However, mental stressors often reoccur during work, and adaptation processes and individual factors may alter psychophysiological responses over time. In this exploratory study, measures of heart rhythm and skin resistance during recurrent anticipatory stress were examined in two groups with lower and higher neuroticism to provide information on which method is most appropriate for stress detection. In the with-in subject design study participants were required to first anticipate a neutral audio signal during a control condition and then a potential painful electric shock in two subsequent experimental conditions. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and skin resistance (SR) parameters were extracted during anticipation. Groups with lower and higher neuroticism were formed based on the Big Five Inventory. While SR parameters and the low-frequency HRV responded similarly under both electric shock conditions, the root mean square of successive time differences between heartbeats, and the high-frequency HRV did not respond. HR increased in the 1st electric shock condition in the higher neuroticism group only. Parameters that responded under both electric shock conditions may contribute to more accurately mapping of recurrent anticipatory stressors.
Wagenblast et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Healthy individuals (anticipatory stress) (n=53). Recurrent anticipatory stress (expectation of electric shock) vs. Expectation of a neutral audio signal (NoShock) was evaluated on Changes in heart rhythm (HR, HRV) and skin resistance (SR) parameters during anticipation (p=<0.001). Skin resistance parameters and low-frequency heart rate variability increased significantly during recurrent anticipatory stress, while heart rate increased only in individuals with higher neuroticism.