POMS Test Research Articles

Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood states

We investigated the effects of the odor of jasmine tea on autonomic nerve activity and mood states in a total of 24 healthy volunteers. We used the odor of jasmine tea at the lowest concentration that could be detected by each subject but that did not elicit any psychological effects. R-R intervals and the POMS test were measured before and after inhalation of the odors for 5 min. Both jasmine tea and lavender odors at perceived similar intensity caused significant decreases in heart rate and significant increases in spectral integrated values at high-frequency component in comparison with the control (P < 0.05). In the POMS tests, these odors produced calm and vigorous mood states. We also examined the effects of (R)-(-)-linalool, one of its major odor components, at the same concentration as in the tea, and (S)-(+)-linalool. Only (R)-(-)-linalool elicited a significant decrease in heart rate (P < 0.05) and an increase in high-frequency component in comparison with the controls, and produced calm and vigorous mood states. Thus, the low intensity of jasmine tea odor has sedative effects on both autonomic nerve activity and mood states, and (R)-(-)-linalool, one of its components, can mimic these effects.

アンケート方式（ＰＯＭＳ）による鰹だし摂取の気分・感情に及ぼす影響の調査

Using a placebo controlled single blind crossover study, we examined the effects of dried skipjack soup stock on mood and emotion among Japanese female college students by questionnaire.Twenty-seven subjects were divided into two groups, and 100 ml of skipjack soup stock and a placebo were alternately given for one week to both groups. The washout period was one week. The placebo was diluted water containing a natural skipjack flavor, pigment and salt. The profiles of mood were observed using the POMS test and the mood questionnaire before and after consumption.There were some subjects who had an unstable emotional baseline. The walking counts by pedometer and the diary descriptions suggested there were some events that varied their emotions. We therefore decided to use subjects who had a stable emotional baseline for evaluation of the test foods. As a result, the scores for tension, anger and TMD (Total Mood Disturbance) in the skipjack soup stock group significantly decreased from the initial values. On the mood questionnaire the score for concentration increased from the initial value.These results suggest that skipjack soup stock had a beneficial effect on mood status.

Effects of short duration exposures to acetone and methyl ethyl ketone

Workers are commonly exposed to mixtures or combinations of chemical agents, and these mixtures often consist of solvents. One group of solvents that has been extensively studied for its neurotoxic properties has been the ketones. However, previous research has focused on neuropathies produced by extended exposures and not on the simple pharmacokinetics or the reversible central nervous system (CNS) effects from short-duration exposures. In this research, 137 volunteers were recruited and tested for neurobehavioral performance changes and biochemical indicators during and after a short-duration (4-h) exposure to either acetone at 250 ppm, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at 200 ppm, acetone at 125 ppm with MEK at 100 ppm, or a chemical-placebo. Ethanol (95% 0.84 ml/kg) was used as a positive control. Testing took place in an environmental chamber with four test stations. The computer-controlled test regimen took 10 h, and several measures were collected: (1) biochemical measurements of venous blood and alveolar breath; (2) psychomotor tests of choice reaction time, visual vigilance, dual task (auditory tone discrimination and tracking), and memory scanning; (3) one sensorimotor (postural sway) test; and (4) one psychological (Profile of Mood States [POMS]) test. Blood and breath concentrations during and after exposure did not demonstrate any interaction between the two solvents, nor were statistically significant sex differences present during uptake or elimination. The 250-ppm acetone exposure produced small but statistically significant differences from controls in two measures of the auditory tone discrimination task, and on the anger-hostility scale (males only) of the POMS test. The other chemical exposure conditions, MEK at 200 ppm and combination MEK with acetone, produced no consistent statistically significant results, which suggests there was no potentiation of the acetone effects with the co-exposure to MEK or vice versa under these test conditions. Ethanol at 0.07–0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) caused significant decrements on both the auditory tone and tracking tests in the dual task.