Abstract
Obsessive‒compulsive disorder (OCD), and especially contamination obsessions and washing compulsions, has been related to disgust. However, when its cardiovascular correlates have been studied, contradictory results have been found, including heart rate accelerations and decelerations. The aim of this study is to analyze emotional, cognitive, and cardiovascular responses in nonclinical (control) and subclinical participants with obsessive‒compulsive contamination/washing symptoms when confronted with a disgusting stimulus. Twenty-seven participants (14 subclinical OCD) completed a behavioral avoidance task with a contamination-based stimulus while their heart rate and subjective variables were measured. Results showed heart rate reductions in both samples, whereas subjective measures reflected higher disgust, anxiety, dirtiness, and emotional valence in the subclinical sample. However, at the same time, the sense of dominance was lower in the control group. In conclusion, our results support a heart rate deceleration during exposure to a disgusting stimulus dissociated from the subjective experience.
Highlights
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by recurrent heterogeneous obsessions and repetitive behaviors
Post hoc analyses were not statistically significant, the data suggested that subclinical contamination-OCD participants showed higher cardiovascular levels before the task began, but their cardiovascular levels were stable during the steps, whereas the control group showed increased heart rate (HR) levels at the end of the behavioral avoidance task (BAT) (BAT3)
Taking into account that none of the vagal control indexes showed significant differences during the task, we interpret the cardiovascular response to disgust involve sympathetic and parasympathetic inputs, independently of the group; in this regard, we found lower levels of HR at the end of the disgust presentation, and this index is influenced by the combination of the sympathetic and parasympathetic input [14]
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by recurrent heterogeneous obsessions and repetitive behaviors. Traditionally associated with fear [1], in recent decades, OCD, and especially contamination obsessions and washing compulsions, has been related to disgust [2,3,4]. Most of the studies analyzing the role of disgust in OCD have appraised it from a subjective perspective, ignoring its physiological correlates [5]. As far as we know, only a few studies [6,7,8,9,10] have analyzed heart rate (HR) correlates in clinical or subclinical OCD samples exposed to disgusting or contaminated stimuli, with divergent results, such as heart rate acceleration, deceleration, or no significant changes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
