Gender Variations in Electrodermal Activity among Medical Students in Response to Cold Pressor Test

Abstract

Objectives
 To evaluate & compare the electrodermal activity(EDA) among males and females in response to cold pressor test. Thus know the differences in autonomic functions in males & females.
 Materials & Method
 In this experimental study Galvanic skin response(GSR) was the parameter measured for EDA. The sample size of our study was 70 MBBS students (35 males & 35 females)
 Cold pressor test was performed by immersing hand in cold water (temp 4°C to 6°C) &changes in electrodermal activity(GSR) was recorded by using Biochart (version 1.0) device in our research lab.
 Results
 There was a significant increase in GSR after immersion of hand in cold water both in males and females. The baseline GSR value, GSR after immersion in cold water & the recovery GSR value were significantly higher in males compared to females.
 Conclusion
 There is substantial evidence of gender difference in the functioning of the autonomic system, including specific effects of both male & female sex hormones. As a generalisation, at least in humans there is a preponderance of sympathetic mediated responses in males and of parasympathetic in females.
 Our data show that EDA(GSR) is such a simple and non invasive method that can be used reliably to measure the autonomic nervous system functions i.e., the sympathetic over activity during cold induced acute pain.