Physiological Indicators Of Anxiety Research Articles

Control, anxiety and test performance: Self-reported and physiological indicators of anxiety as mediators.

This study investigated the role of different test anxiety components (affective, cognitive, motivational and physiological) as mediators between control and performance as proposed by Pekrun's control-value theory (CVT). While all components were assessed via self-report, the physiological component was additionally assessed via electrodermal activity (EDA). We examined the relative impact of the self-reported anxiety components and EDA in this mediating mechanism to identify the most relevant assessment(s) (i.e., self-reported anxiety components and/or EDA) for predicting test performance. The study comprised 50 eighth graders. Data were collected during a mathematics test comprising six task blocks. State self-reports of control and anxiety components along with test performance and other test emotions were collected block-wise (i.e., repeated assessments within students). EDA was continuously recorded. Consistent with CVT, intra-individual mediation analysis with multiple mediators revealed that higher control predicted lower anxiety (i.e., all self-reported components). Unexpectedly, higher control was associated with increased EDA. Follow-up analyses taking other test emotions into account suggested this might reflect positive activation. Correlations between EDA and control and self-reported anxiety components differed depending on which test emotion was dominant in each situation. Regarding test performance, only the cognitive component was a significant mediator and thus seems to play a pivotal role in the relationship between control and performance. Distinguishing between anxiety components and including unbiased physiological measures improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind the relationship between test anxiety and performance. Higher physiological arousal may be a sign of anxiety but can also be a sign of positive activation. When aiming to reduce negative effects of anxiety on performance, targeting the cognitive component seems crucial. Implications of these findings for educational and psychological practice are discussed.

Fifteen-minute music intervention reduces pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients

PurposeOncology patients may respond to radiation treatment with anxiety expressed as stress, fear, depression, and frustration. This study aimed to investigate effects of music intervention on reducing pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients. MethodsQuasi-experimental study with purposeful sampling was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology, at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Subjects were assigned into a music group (n = 100) receiving 15 min of music therapy prior to radiation and a control group (n = 100) receiving 15 min rest prior to radiation. Both groups were evaluated for pre- and post-test anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological indicators of anxiety were measured pre- and post-test. ResultsBaseline State/Trait scores and vital signs were comparable between groups (P > 0.05). Mean change in pre- and post-test State/Trait scores showed significant decreases from baseline to post-test in both groups (all P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between music therapy and control groups in mean change of State anxiety scores (mean decreases 7.19 and 1.04, respectively; P < 0.001) and Trait anxiety scores (mean decreases 2.77 and 1.13, respectively; P = 0.036). In vital signs, both groups had significant decreases in pre- and post-test heart rate and respiration rate (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference in mean change of systolic pressure was found between music and control groups (−5.69 ± 0.41 mmHg vs. −0.67 ± 1.29 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.009). ConclusionsMusic therapy decreased State anxiety levels, Trait anxiety levels and systolic blood pressure in oncology patients who received the intervention prior to radiotherapy.

Mental skills for musicians: Managing music performance anxiety and enhancing performance.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a short-term mental skills intervention on reducing music performance anxiety and enhancing performance. Thirty-three musicians, including students, amateurs, and professionals, volunteered to participate (ages 19 to 66 years, mean = 42.09, standard deviation = 15.18). Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group (cognitive restructuring; N = 15) or a wait-list control group (N = 18). A provisionally registered psychologist taught participants mental skills strategies in three 1-hr, psychoeducational workshops. Self-report, behavioral, and physiological indicators of anxiety and performance quality were collected pretest and posttest. Self-report measures were also taken for the treatment group at a 1-month follow-up. We hypothesized anxiety reduction and performance enhancement in the treatment group from pre- to posttest, and that the benefits of treatment would be maintained or strengthened at the 1-month follow-up. Results revealed a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety, a significant increase in performance quality in the treatment group, and a significant decrease in performance quality in the wait-list control group. The follow-up assessment revealed a significant decrease in self-reported anxiety. No other significant differences were observed.

Music during Bronchoscopic Examination: the Physiological Effects

Background: Patients scheduled for bronchoscopic procedures are often anxious and frightened. Reduction in the state of anxiety during an invasive procedure may prevent some possible complications. Music has been proposed as a safe nonpharmacological antianxiety intervention. Objective: We followed up physiological indicators of anxiety (blood pressure, heart rate) during bronchoscopic examination to determine the effect of music on the level of anxiety. Methods: Two hundred adult patients were included in the study. Blood pressure, heart rate, procedures performed during bronchoscopy and duration of examination were monitored. Patients’ overall feelings during the procedure were rated from 0 (without unpleasant feelings) to 10 (unbearable). All patients used the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Two hundred adult patients referred for bronchoscopy were included in the study: 93 patients received music during the procedure and 107 served as control. Therewere no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, indications for bronchoscopy, procedures performed during bronchoscopy, duration of the examination and patients’ subjective perception of the procedure. The mean hart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the music group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the application of music reduces anxiety during bronchoscopic examination as physiological indicators of anxiety, the mean heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, were significantly lower in the music group.

Explanatory models of anxiety from the viewpoint of biopsychology and pharmacopsychology

To understand the biological basis of anxiety, the following psychological aspects are discussed: The difference between "trait" and "state" anxiety, types of anxiety as related to knowledge about causes and consequences, anxiety as a chronological process involving coping strategies and different levels of responses. The lack of specificity is physiological indicators of anxiety is demonstrated by experiments based on electrodermal and cardiovascular responses. Among hormones, special emphasis is placed on the constellation between catecholamines and cortisol as being relevant for anxiety research. It is emphasized that configurations of hormone parameters may be more relevant predictors for anxiety than single response values, and the study of postoperative catecholamine and cortisol responses is used for demonstrating differences between patients in a high and low preoperative state of anxiety. Differences are observed only on the emotional and pain response levels, but not in physiological parameters. The neurophysiological model representing central nervous system substrates for anxiety is the behavioural inhibitory system described in the theory by Gray [17], and the most relevant transmitters noradrenaline, serotonin, and the GABA-system are discussed with regard to their relevance for anxiety in animal studies, in studies using provocation tests with pharmacological substances, and in clinical studies with anti-anxiety drugs. Experimental anxiety research in psychology is frequently characterised by significant interactions between many mediators of responses, in particular the type of stressor, the level of trait anxiety and other personality variables, and the type of substances used. It is concluded that stressors as well as drugs frequently do not specifically induce anxiety but may nonspecifically affect general arousal and may only be operating in certain groups and certain levels of stress intensity.