Key result
Combined mental and physical stress did not synergistically increase cardiovascular responses compared to handgrip alone, with peak SNA changes of 166% vs 188% and MAP changes of 23 vs 26 mmHg.
Why the study?
Do combined mental and physical stresses produce a synergistic interaction on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects?
Population
12 healthy subjects
Comparison
5 min of static handgrip, mental arithmetic, and… vs Individual stimuli compared to each other
Design
Other, random order
Follow-up
5 min per stimulus
Authors
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No synergy between mental and physical stress on CV responses in healthy subjects; hypothesis-generating and requires validation in clinical populations.
RCT (n=12)
Random order
Do combined mental and physical stresses produce a synergistic interaction on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects?
Mental stimulation does not synergistically interact with or add to the cardiovascular responses elicited by physical exercise (handgrip) in healthy subjects.
Wasmund et al. (2002) conducted an RCT in Healthy (n=12). Combined mental arithmetic and static handgrip vs. Static handgrip alone and mental arithmetic alone was evaluated on Peak changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Combined mental and physical stress did not synergistically increase cardiovascular responses compared to handgrip alone, with peak SNA changes of 166% vs 188% and MAP changes of 23 vs 26 mmHg.
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