1
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Tyra AT, Young DA, Ginty AT. Emotion regulation tendencies and cardiovascular responses to repeated acute psychological stress. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 194:112261. [PMID: 37914039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Poor emotion regulation has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) through maladaptive cardiovascular responses to psychological stress. However, there has been scant research examining the relationship between emotion regulation and habituation of cardiovascular responses to recurrent stress, which may be more directly applicable to the experience of stress in everyday life. The aims of the current study were to examine the associations between emotion regulation tendencies and cardiovascular stress reactivity, as well as habituation of cardiovascular reactivity across repeated stressors. A sample of 453 participants (mean (SD) age = 19.5 (1.3) years; 62 % women) completed a repeated stress paradigm, which consisted of two 10-minute baselines and two identical 4-minute stress tasks, separated by a 10-minute recovery period. Heart rate (HR) was measured continuously; systolic/diastolic blood pressures (SBP/DBP) were measured every 2 min. At the end of the visit, participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Results indicate that impulse control difficulties when distressed (a DERS subscale) were significantly associated with blunted SBP, DBP, and HR reactivity to both stressors, as well as impaired HR habituation across the stressors. None of the ERQ subscales (cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression) were found to be associated with cardiovascular stress reactivity or habituation. The outcomes of this study demonstrate a potential underlying physiological pathway through which impulse control difficulties when distressed may contribute to CVD risk. This study also reveals the importance of extending traditional cardiovascular stress reactivity protocols to include multiple exposures of the same stress task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T Tyra
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Danielle A Young
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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2
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Roché S, Kearns H, Brindle RC. Testing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a potential moderator of the association between current chronic stress and cardiovascular reactivity. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 193:112245. [PMID: 37730123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by mixed findings regarding the relationship between chronic stress and cardiovascular reactivity, the current study aimed to investigate whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) serve as a potential moderator of the association between current chronic stress and cardiovascular reactivity. Incidence of ACEs, levels of current chronic stress, and heart rate (HR) reactivity to a mental arithmetic stress task were measured in 111 participants (age = 20.83, 76 % female, 66 % White). ACEs were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and current chronic stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. Moderation analyses were conducted with HR reactivity as the outcome and ACEs as the moderator. Results indicated that a greater amount of current chronic stress was significantly associated with relatively blunted HR reactivity (β = -0.25, p = 0.03) even after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Exposure to ACEs was not significantly related to HR reactivity, (all p ≥ 0.66), and there was no significant interaction between current chronic stress and ACE exposure in predicting HR reactivity, (all p ≥ 0.44). These results show that current chronic stress is associated with relatively blunted HR reactivity and that exposure to ACEs does not moderate the relationship between chronic stress and cardiac stress reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Roché
- Department of Biology, Washington and Lee University, USA
| | - Hannah Kearns
- Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Washington and Lee University, USA
| | - Ryan C Brindle
- Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Neuroscience Program, Washington and Lee University, USA.
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3
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Lee SY, Vergara-Lopez C, Bublitz MH, Gaffey AE, D’Angelo C, Stroud LR. Adolescent girls' cardiovascular responses to peer rejection: exploring the impact of early life stress. J Behav Med 2023; 46:451-459. [PMID: 36334168 PMCID: PMC10160243 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-022-00366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Detrimental effects of early life stress on cardiovascular health are evident in adolescence. Cardiovascular reactivity and recovery in response to interpersonal stress may be a mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate if adolescent girls with higher early life stress demonstrated greater cardiovascular reactivity and slower recovery to peer rejection. A sample of 92 adolescent girls (age: M = 13.24) self-reported early life stressors. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were continuously measured before, during, and after a laboratory peer rejection paradigm. Counter to hypotheses, adolescent girls with higher early life stress had lower, not higher, HR during the recovery period. Early life stress was not associated with SBP or DBP recovery. Additionally, early life stress was not associated with SBP, DBP, or HR reactivity. Future research is needed to assess if blunted cardiovascular reactivity to interpersonal rejection during adolescence is a mechanism linking early life stress and later cardiovascular disease risk in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Y. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital
| | - Chrystal Vergara-Lopez
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital
| | - Margaret H. Bublitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Women’s Medicine Collaborative, The Miriam Hospital
| | - Allison E. Gaffey
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
| | - Christina D’Angelo
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center, Rhode Island/Hasbro Children’s Hospital
| | - Laura R. Stroud
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital
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O' Riordan A, Young DA, Ginty AT. Disordered eating is associated with blunted blood pressure reactivity and poorer habituation to acute psychological stress. Biol Psychol 2023; 179:108553. [PMID: 37028794 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Psychological stress has been shown to influence the development and progression of disordered eating. Psychophysiological studies have reported that individuals with disordered eating behavior exhibit atypical cardiovascular reactions to acute psychological stress. However, prior studies have been limited by small sample sizes and have examined cardiovascular responses to a singular stress exposure. The current study examined the association between disordered eating and cardiovascular reactivity, as well as cardiovascular habituation to acute psychological stress. A mixed-sex sample (N = 450) of undergraduate students were categorized into a disordered eating or non-disordered eating group using a validated disordered eating screening questionnaire and attended a laboratory stress testing session. The testing session included two identical stress-testing protocols, each consisting of a 10-minute baseline and 4-minute stress task. Cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded throughout the testing session. Post task measures of self-reported stress, as well as positive affect and negative affect (NA) reactivity were used to assess psychological reactions to stress. The disordered eating group exhibited greater increases in NA reactivity in response to both stress exposures. Additionally, in comparison to the control group, those in the disordered eating group exhibited blunted MAP reactivity to the initial stress exposure and less MAP habituation across both stress exposures. These findings indicate that disordered eating is characterized by dysregulated hemodynamic stress responsivity, which may constitute a physiological mechanism leading to poor physical health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam O' Riordan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States.
| | - Danielle A Young
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
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5
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Howard S, Gallagher S, Ginty AT, Whittaker AC. Life event stress is associated with blunted cardiovascular responding to both personally salient and personally non-salient laboratory tasks. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14199. [PMID: 36282024 PMCID: PMC10078599 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Life event stress has been associated with blunted cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress. However, recent studies have suggested that blunted reactivity to stress only arises when the laboratory tasks are not personally salient to the individual. We re-analyzed data from 136 healthy young adults where we had previously reported a negative association between life event stress and cardiovascular reactivity to two combined stressors. Participants completed a mental arithmetic task and a personally salient speech task, following a formal baseline period with Finometer-assessed cardiovascular parameters. The reanalyses examined reactivity to the verbal mental arithmetic (personally non-salient) and speech (personally salient) tasks separately and found that life event stress was negatively associated with diastolic blood pressure reactivity, to both the personally non-salient, β = -.20, p = .023, and personally salient stressors, β = -.24, p = .004. Life event stress was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure reactivity to the personally salient stressor only, β = -.20, p = .021, and was not associated with heart rate reactivity. This study provides evidence against the argument that blunted reactivity to stress emerges as a result of stressor context, with findings indicating that low reactors show lower reactivity to both personally salient and personally non-salient stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhán Howard
- SASHLab, Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Stephen Gallagher
- SASHLab, Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Baylor Behavioral Medicine Lab, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Anna C Whittaker
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Moore MM, Tyra AT, Young DA, Ginty AT. Cardiovascular stress reactivity, habituation, and adiposity. Psychophysiology 2022; 60:e14232. [PMID: 36523148 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between adiposity and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality is complex. One pathway through which adiposity may influence future health outcomes is by altering how biological systems respond to stress. The current study aimed to examine the association between two metrics of adiposity (body mass index and waist-hip ratio) and two indices of cardiovascular stress responses (reactivity and habituation). A sample of 455 participants (Mean age = 19.47, SD = 1.25 years; BMI = 24.32, SD = 5.04 kg/m2 ; 62% female; 17.9% Hispanic/Latino; 65.2% White, 18.7% Asian, 7.9% Black, 0.2% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 7% other) completed two acute psychosocial stress tasks. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were recorded throughout each stressor. In unadjusted and adjusted models, there were no statistically significant associations between adiposity and HR, SBP, or DBP stress reactivity or habituation. The current data do not support the hypothesis that adiposity influences health by altering cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress. Results are at odds with prior population-level studies and the single prior study examining adiposity and habituation. At the same time, results are in line with mounting evidence that adiposity itself does not drive poor cardiovascular outcomes seen in people classified as overweight or obese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody M. Moore
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Baylor University Waco Texas USA
| | - Alexandra T. Tyra
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Baylor University Waco Texas USA
| | - Danielle A. Young
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Baylor University Waco Texas USA
| | - Annie T. Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Baylor University Waco Texas USA
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McLoughlin E, Arnold R, Freeman P, Turner JE, Roberts GA, Fletcher D, Slavich GM, Moore LJ. Lifetime Stressor Exposure and Psychophysiological Reactivity and Habituation to Repeated Acute Social Stressors. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 44:427-438. [PMID: 36450294 PMCID: PMC9731321 DOI: 10.1123/jsep.2022-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study addressed whether lifetime stressor exposure was associated with psychophysiological reactivity and habituation to a novel laboratory-based stressor. Eighty-six participants (Mage = 23.31 years, SD = 4.94) reported their exposure to lifetime non-sport and sport-specific stressors before completing two consecutive trials of the Trier Social Stress Test, while cardiovascular (i.e., heart rate) and endocrine (i.e., salivary cortisol) data were recorded. Exposure to a moderate number of lifetime non-sport and sport-specific stressors was associated with adaptive cardiovascular reactivity, whereas very low or very high stressor exposure was related to maladaptive reactivity. Moreover, experiencing a very low number of lifetime non-sport (but not sport-specific) stressors was associated with poorer habituation. In contrast, lifetime stressor severity was unrelated to cardiovascular reactivity. Finally, greater lifetime non-sport and sport-specific stressor counts were associated with blunted cortisol reactivity and poorer habituation. These results suggest that lifetime stressor exposure may influence sport performers' acute stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella McLoughlin
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath,United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Arnold
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath,United Kingdom
| | - Paul Freeman
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Essex,United Kingdom
| | - James E Turner
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath,United Kingdom
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham,United Kingdom
| | | | - David Fletcher
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough,United Kingdom
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA,USA
| | - Lee J Moore
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath,United Kingdom
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Saban KL, Collins EG, Mathews HL, Bryant FB, Tell D, Gonzalez B, Bhoopalam S, Chroniak CP, Janusek LW. Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Psychological Well-Being, Cortisol, and Inflammation in Women Veterans. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:751-761. [PMID: 36042095 PMCID: PMC9481828 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07584-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women veterans experience higher levels of stress-related symptoms than their civilian counterparts. Psychological stress is associated with greater inflammation and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve psychological well-being in other populations but no randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted examining the impact of MBSR on well-being and inflammation in women veterans at risk for CVD. OBJECTIVE Determine the effectiveness of MBSR in improving psychological well-being, cortisol, and inflammation associated with CVD in women veterans. DESIGN The design is a RCT comparing MBSR to an active control condition (ACC) consisting of a health education program. PARTICIPANTS Women veterans (N=164) with risk factors for CVD from the Chicagoland area participated in the study. INTERVENTION An 8-week MBSR program with weekly 2.5-h classes was compared to an ACC consisting of an 8-week health promotion education program with weekly 2.5-h classes. MAIN MEASURES The outcomes were psychological well-being [perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] symptoms and stress-related markers, including diurnal salivary cortisol and cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks (mid-point of intervention), 8 weeks (completion of intervention), and 6 months after completion of MBSR or ACC. KEY RESULTS Compared to the ACC, women who participated in MBSR reported less perceived stress, loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD. Although there were no significant differences between groups or changes over time in IL-6 or IFN-γ, participants in the MBSR program demonstrated a more rapid decline in diurnal salivary cortisol as compared to those in the ACC. CONCLUSIONS MBSR was found to improve psychological well-being and decrease diurnal salivary cortisol in women veterans at risk for CVD. Health care providers may consider MBSR for women veterans as a means by which to improve their psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Saban
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines, IL, 60141, USA. .,Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Ave, Center for Translational Research and Education, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
| | - Eileen G Collins
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines, IL, 60141, USA.,Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, 845 S. Damen Ave. MC 902, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Herbert L Mathews
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Ave, Center for Translational Research and Education, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Fred B Bryant
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Coffey Hall Rm. 242, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Dina Tell
- Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Ave, Center for Translational Research and Education, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Beverly Gonzalez
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Sudha Bhoopalam
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | | | - Linda Witek Janusek
- Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Ave, Center for Translational Research and Education, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
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Flykt A, Eklund A, Frank J, Johansson M. “Landscape of Stress” for Sheep Owners in the Swedish Wolf Region. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.783035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Farmers who keep livestock in large carnivore areas are exposed to threat of predation directly impacting on finances and workload as well as the associated psychological stress indirectly impacting on farmers well-being. So far, little is known about such stress responses. The concept of “stress” or “stress reaction” is often used as an undifferentiated umbrella concept for the experience of negative emotional episodes. However, the stress reactions could be divided into cognitive, physiological, and behavioural aspects. This study aimed to develop and apply a theory-based approach to identify stress responses among sheep farmers in the Swedish “wolf-region.” A thematic analysis of interviews conducted with sheep farmers showed ample support for stress responses among the informants in relation to large carnivores and their management, although the interviews were conducted with a different focal topic. The findings support the idea that stress responses could be categorised into cognitive, physiological, and behavioural aspects. This distinction would help to identify and fully understand the cumulative impact of stress from the presence of large carnivores on farmers’ well-being.
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Schiweck C, Gholamrezaei A, Hellyn M, Vaessen T, Vrieze E, Claes S. Exhausted Heart Rate Responses to Repeated Psychological Stress in Women With Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869608. [PMID: 35509881 PMCID: PMC9058080 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Past research links depression and blunted cardiac vagal reactivity to chronic stress. Yet, to our knowledge no experiment investigates heart rate (variability) responses to a repeated laboratory stressor in patients with depression. Repeated exposure may provide valuable information on stress reactivity in depression. Fifty-nine women (30 inpatients diagnosed with depression and 29 matched controls) underwent two consecutive runs of a mental arithmetic stress paradigm consisting of one baseline and two exposures to control, stress, and recovery phases of 5 min each, in a case-control design. Subjective stress and electrocardiography were recorded. Variance of heart rate (HR) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) were analyzed using linear mixed models. Overall, physiological parameters (HR and RMSSD) and subjective stress showed a strong group effect (all p < 0.001). In both groups, subjective stress and HR increased in response to stress, but the subjective stress levels of patients with depression did not return to baseline levels after the first stressor and for the remainder of the experiment (all p < 0.004 compared to baseline). Patients' HR reactivity responded oppositely: while HR recovered after the first stress exposure, no reactivity was observed in response to the second exposure. These findings may suggest that the often-reported blunted HR/HRV response to stressors results from exhaustion rather than an incapacity to react to stress. The altered HR reactivity could indicate allostatic (over-) load in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Schiweck
- Department for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ali Gholamrezaei
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maxim Hellyn
- Department for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Vaessen
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elske Vrieze
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,University Psychiatric Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan Claes
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,University Psychiatric Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Tyra AT, Cook TE, Young DA, Hurley PE, Oosterhoff BJ, John-Henderson NA, Ginty AT. Adverse childhood experiences, sex, and cardiovascular habituation to repeated stress. Biol Psychol 2021; 165:108175. [PMID: 34461149 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are robustly associated with later cardiovascular disease. Alterations in cardiovascular responses to stress may be an underlying mechanism. The present study examined whether ACEs predicted habituation of cardiovascular responses across two acute laboratory stress tasks, and whether this differed between men and women. During a single laboratory visit, 453 healthy young adults completed two identical stress-inducing protocols, each involving a 10-minute baseline and 4-minute acute psychological stress task. Heart rate (HR) and systolic/diastolic blood pressure (S/DBP) were recorded throughout. Participants also completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale. Cardiovascular responses habituated from the first to second stress task on average across the entire sample. However, women-but not men-with higher self-reported ACEs displayed less habituation of HR and DBP, but not SBP, across the stress tasks. Results suggest that ACEs may alter the body's ability to adaptively respond to stress exposures in adulthood, specifically in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T Tyra
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
| | - Taryn E Cook
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Danielle A Young
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Page E Hurley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Benjamin J Oosterhoff
- Department of Psychology, Montana State University, 319 Traphagen Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Neha A John-Henderson
- Department of Psychology, Montana State University, 319 Traphagen Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
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12
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Schneider M, Kraemmer MM, Weber B, Schwerdtfeger AR. Life events are associated with elevated heart rate and reduced heart complexity to acute psychological stress. Biol Psychol 2021; 163:108116. [PMID: 33991593 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined whether the exposure to life events and reported impact of life events are associated with altered cardiac reactivity to an acute psychological stressor. Participants (N = 69) completed the Life Experience Survey (LES) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and undertook a standardized social-evaluative stress task. Cardiac activity was measured via heart rate and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) indices Sample Entropy, SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2 ratio. Heart rate and non-linear HRV were measured before, during and after stress exposure. Findings suggest higher heart rate reactivity in individuals reporting higher number and impact of negative and total life events. Decreases in Sample Entropy were evident for number as well as impact of life events. No associations were found for SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2 ratio. Findings suggest that life-events are associated with elevated heart rate and diminished heart rate complexity in response to acute stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernhard Weber
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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13
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Ahmad M, Tyra AT, Ginty AT, Brindle RC. Trait neuroticism does not relate to cardiovascular reactivity or habituation to repeated acute psychosocial stress. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 165:112-120. [PMID: 33915234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuroticism has been associated with adverse cardiovascular health. Adverse cardiovascular health outcomes have also been linked to cardiovascular reactivity and cardiovascular reactivity habituation to acute psychosocial stress. As such, cardiovascular stress reactivity and habituation may be a factor in the association between neuroticism and disease risk. However, studies of the relationship between neuroticism and cardiovascular reactivity have produced mixed results. Moreover, the relationships between neuroticism, cardiovascular reactivity habituation, and general affect across a repeated stress paradigm have not been examined. The present study aimed to assess the relationships between neuroticism, positive and negative affect, and cardiovascular reactivity and habituation to acute psychosocial stress in a large, demographically diverse sample. Participants (N = 426) completed two 4-min mental arithmetic stressors, each with a separate baseline, in a single laboratory session while having discrete blood pressure and heart rate measurements taken. State positive and negative affect were measured immediately following informed consent, after receiving task instructions, and after each stress task. Trait neuroticism was measured using the Big Five Inventory. Each stress task elicited significant cardiovascular changes. Trait neuroticism was not significantly associated with cardiovascular reactivity or cardiovascular reactivity habituation, within or across stress tasks (all p's > 0.12). Across the entire study protocol, neuroticism was significantly related to lower positive affect and higher negative affect (both p's < 0.001). Trait neuroticism did not relate to stress-related cardiovascular adjustments but might confer a predisposition toward high negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midha Ahmad
- Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States of America
| | | | - Annie T Ginty
- Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States of America
| | - Ryan C Brindle
- Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, United States of America.
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