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Purpose: Exposure to cold temperatures decreases finger temperature (Tfing) and dexterity. Decreased manual function and dexterity can be serious safety risks, especially in tasks that require fine motor movements that must be performed outdoors. The aim of this study was to determine whether hand heating with a minimal power requirement (14.8 W) results in a smaller reduction in Tfing and manual dexterity performance during mild cold exposure compared to a non-heated control condition. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, twenty-two healthy participants were exposed to a moderately cold environment (5 ºC) for 90 min. One condition had no intervention (CON), while the other had the palmar and dorsal hands heated (HEAT) by using electric heating films. Tfing and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) were continuously monitored using laser Doppler flowmetry. Manual dexterity performance and cognitive function were assessed by the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Stroop Color-Word (SCW) test, respectively, during the baseline period and every 30 min during the cold exposure. Results: After the cold exposure, Tfing was higher in HEAT relative to CON (CON 9.8 vs. HEAT 13.7 ºC, p < 0.0001). GPT placing time, as an index of dexterity performance, was also shorter in HEAT by 14.5% (CON 69.10 ± 13.08 vs. HEAT 59.06 ± 7.99 s, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in CVC between the two conditions during the cold exposure (p > 0.05 for all). Cognitive function was similar between two conditions (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: The proposed hand heating method offers a practical means of heating fingers to maintain dexterity throughout prolonged cold exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used machine learning to incorporate three types of biomarkers (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA; skin conductance, SC; finger temperature, FT) for examining the performance of diagnosing somatic symptom disorder (SSD). We recruited 97 SSD subjects and 96 controls without psychiatric history or somatic distress. The values of RSA, SC and FT were recorded in three situations (resting state, under a cognitive task and under paced breathing) and compared for the two populations. We used machine learning to combine the biological signals and then applied receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to examine the performance of diagnosing SSD regarding the distinct indicators and situations. Subgroup analysis for subjects without depression/anxiety was also conducted. FT was significantly different between SSD patients and controls, especially in the resting state and under paced breathing. However, the biomarkers (0.75–0.76) did not reveal an area under the curve (AUC) comparable with the psychological questionnaires (0.86). Combining the biological and psychological indicators gave a high AUC (0.86–0.92). When excluding individuals with depression/anxiety, combining three biomarkers (0.79–0.83) and adopting psychological questionnaires (0.78) revealed a similar AUC. The performance of RSA/SC/FT was unsatisfactory for diagnosing SSD but became comparable when excluding comorbid depression/anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although previous studies indicated the association between peripheral biomarkers and psychological conditions, a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among geriatric populations may hinder the applicability of the biomarkers. The objective of this study was to assess the adequacy of the application of biomarkers to evaluate psychological conditions among geriatric populations. Method: We collected information on the demographics and history of CVD in all participants. All participants completed the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS‐5) and the Chinese Happiness Inventory (CHI), which are the measurement of negative and positive psychological conditions, respectively. Four indicators of the peripheral biomarkers, including the standard deviation of normal to normal RR intervals (SDNN), finger temperature, skin conductance, and electromyogram were collected for each participant during a 5‐min resting state. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between the biomarkers and the psychological measurements (BSRS‐5, CHI) with and without the inclusion of the participants with CVD. Results: A total of 233 participants without CVD (non‐CVD group) and 283 participants with CVD (CVD group) were included. The CVD group was older and with higher body mass index compared to the non‐CVD group. In the multiple linear regression model with all participants, only BSRS‐5 scores had a positive association with electromyogram. After the exclusion of the CVD group, the association between the BSRS‐5 scores and electromyogram was more relevant, while CHI scores became positively associated with SDNN. Conclusions: A single measurement of the peripheral biomarker may be insufficient to depict psychological conditions among geriatric populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though the association between peripheral neurophysiological biomarkers and psychological conditions is widely discussed, there is still limited evidence about the ability of peripheral biomarkers to predict psychological outcomes, especially among geriatric populations. The study is designed as a prospective cohort study. We collected information from participants aged over 55 years. The participants were evaluated at the start of the study (T0) and 6–9 months later (T1). Information about demographic profiles, peripheral neurophysiological biomarker recordings (including heart rate variability, finger temperature, skin conductance, and electromyogram), and psychological measurements (including Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5, Chinese Happiness Inventory, and Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire) were collected at T0. At T1, participants reported self-rated questionnaires for psychological outcomes (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, health anxiety questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory) and were evaluated with Mini-Mental State Examination by the staff. The association between the peripheral biomarkers and psychological outcomes was evaluated via multiple regression models. A total of 385 participants were included in the study and the average age was 74.49 ± 7.34 years. Both stepwise multiple linear and logistic models showed a significant association between decreased skin conductance and increased/presence of depression at T1. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of skin conductance for depression was fair (area under curve = 0.812). The ability of skin conductance to predict depression among geriatric populations may facilitate the detection of geriatric depression and future research on the pathophysiology. • We explored the ability of biomarkers to predict mental outcomes in older adults. • There was a significant association between skin conductance and future depression. • The predictability of skin conductance may enhance the detection of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to investigate differences in cognitive performance connected with physical load of varying intensities. One half of 88 examined persons sat on office chairs, and the other half sat on chairs with the added modification of the gymnastic (Swiss) ball called the dynamic directional seat pad (pad). The first rest phase was followed by the load phase, in which the subjects were administered a 20-minute sustained attention test. The number of correct answers and errors was evaluated. A BIOPAC apparatus continually recorded thoracic respiration, electrodermal activity, finger temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Females on pads made 58% fewer errors than females on chairs; the number of errors was closely related to the depth of their breathing (tidal volume). It was found out that the use of the pad, in addition to the already known health benefits, also brings an increase in the precision of cognitive performance. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The etiology of vasopressor-induced digital necrosis is poorly understood, but the skin changes resemble those of frostbite, and it is known from experience that patients taking vasopressors have decreased digital temperatures. We aimed to examine the effects of norepinephrine use on surface temperatures of the distal extremities because there have been no studies examining this relation.Methods: Surface temperatures of all digits, palms, and soles were measured using an infrared thermometer in patients receiving different rates of norepinephrine infusion in the intensive care unit and compared with those not receiving any vasopressors.Results: A total of 101 measurements from 41 unique individuals were obtained. Temperature gradients between the core and the fingertips were consistently more pronounced in those receiving norepinephrine compared with those not receiving norepinephrine and increased with increasing rates of norepinephrine infusion, except with high-dose norepinephrine. Temperature gradients were more pronounced in the toes.Conclusions: Norepinephrine use was associated with greater core-to-fingertip temperature gradients and were more pronounced in the toes compared with the fingers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention is a key cognitive phenomenon that is studied to understand cognitive disorders or even to estimate workloads to prevent accidents. Usually, it is studied using brain activity, even though it has many psychophysiological correlates. In the present study, we aim to evaluate if finger temperature, as a surrogate of peripheral vasoconstriction, can be used to obtain similar and complementary information to electroencephalography (EEG) brain activity measurements. To conduct this, 34 participants were recruited and submitted to performing four tasks—one as a baseline, and three attentional tasks. These three attentional tasks measured sustained attention, resilience to distractors, and attentional resources. During the tasks, the room, forehead, tympanic, and finger temperatures were measured. Furthermore, we included a 32-channel EEG recording. Our results showed a strong monotonic association between the finger temperature and the Alpha and Beta EEG spectral bands. When predicting attentional performance, the finger temperature was complementary to the EEG spectral measurements, through the prediction of aspects of attentional performance that had not been assessed by spectral EEG activity, or through the improvement of the model’s fit. We also found that during the baseline task (non-goal-oriented task), the spectral EEG activity has an inverted correlation, as compared to a goal-oriented task. Our current results suggest that the psychophysiological assessment of attention is complementary to classic EEG approach, while also having the advantage of easy implementation of analysis tools in environments of reducing control (workplaces, student classrooms).

Attention is a key cognitive phenomenon that is studied to understand cognitive disorders or even to estimate workloads to prevent accidents. Usually, it is studied using brain activity, even though it has many psychophysiological correlates. In the present study, we aim to evaluate if finger temperature, as a surrogate of peripheral vasoconstriction, can be used to obtain similar and complementary information to electroencephalography (EEG) brain activity measurements. To conduct this, 34 participants were recruited and submitted to performing four tasks—one as a baseline, and three attentional tasks. These three attentional tasks measured sustained attention, resilience to distractors, and attentional resources. During the tasks, the room, forehead, tympanic, and finger temperatures were measured. Furthermore, we included a 32-channel EEG recording. Our results showed a strong monotonic association between the finger temperature and the Alpha and Beta EEG spectral bands. When predicting attentional performance, the finger temperature was complementary to the EEG spectral measurements, through the prediction of aspects of attentional performance that had not been assessed by spectral EEG activity, or through the improvement of the model's fit. We also found that during the baseline task (non-goal-oriented task), the spectral EEG activity has an inverted correlation, as compared to a goal-oriented task. Our current results suggest that the psychophysiological assessment of attention is complementary to classic EEG approach, while also having the advantage of easy implementation of analysis tools in environments of reducing control (workplaces, student classrooms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ambulance milieu does not offer good thermal comfort to patients during the cold Swedish winters. Patients’ exposure to cold temperatures combined with a cold ambulance mattress seems to be the major factor leading to an overall sensation of discomfort. There is little research on the effect of active heat delivered from underneath in ambulance care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an electrically heated ambulance mattress-prototype on thermal comfort and patients’ temperatures in the prehospital emergency care. Methods: A quantitative intervention study on ambulance care was conducted in the north of Sweden. The ambulance used for the intervention group (n=30) was equipped with an electrically heated mattress on the regular ambulance stretcher whereas for the control group (n=30) no active heat was provided on the stretcher. Outcome variables were measured as thermal comfort on the Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS), subjective comments on cold experiences, and finger, ear and air temperatures. Results: Thermal comfort, measured by CDS, improved during the ambulance transport to the emergency department in the intervention group (p=0.001) but decreased in the control group (p=0.014). A significant higher proportion (57%) of the control group rated the stretcher as cold to lie down compared to the intervention group (3%, p

Reduced dexterity is a major problem in cold weather, with a need for a countermeasure that increases hand (Thand) and finger (Tfing) temperatures and improves dexterity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether electric heat (set point, 42°C) applied to the forearm (ARM, 82 W), face (FACE, 9.2 W), or combination of both (COMB, 91.2 W), either at the beginning of cold exposure (COLD; 0.5°C, 120 min; 2 clo insulation, seated, bare-handed) or after Tfing fell to 10.5°C [delayed trials (D)], improves Thand, Tfing, dexterity, and finger key pinch strength (Sfing). Volunteers (n = 8; 26 ± 9 yr) completed 7 experimental trials in COLD: ARM, ARM-D, FACE, FACE-D, COMB, COMB-D, and no heating (CON). Temperatures were measured before (BASE) and throughout COLD. Tests of dexterity [Purdue Pegboard assembly (PP) and magazine loading (MAGLOAD)] and Sfing were measured at BASE and after 45 and 90 min of COLD. Data presented are at minute 90. Thand was warmer (P < 0.001) during ARM (18.0 ± 2.6°C) and COMB (18.9 ± 2.0°C) versus CON (15.3 ± 1.5°C) and FACE (15.8 ± 1.5°C) for heating that was initiated at the beginning of COLD. Tfing was higher (P < 0.04) during COMB (12.7 ± 5.1°C) versus CON (9.7 ± 2.1°C) and FACE (8.9 ± 2.2°C). The change from BASE for PP (no. of pieces) was less (P < 0.005) in COMB (−4.5 ± 3.3) and ARM (−5.0 ± 6.0) versus CON (−13.0 ± 7.3) and FACE (−10.0 ± 8.3), and for MAGLOAD, it tended (P = 0.06) to be less in COMB (−8.9 ± 6.2 cartridges) versus CON (−14.8 ± 3.7 cartridges). There was no change in Sfing from BASE (10.5 kg) to minute 90 in ARM or COMB (0.7 ± 1.4 and −0.2 ± 1.7 kg, respectively) but a decrease (P < 0.01) in CON and FACE (−2.1 ± 2.0 and −1.6 ± 1.9 kg, respectively). There were no differences in Thand, Tfing, dexterity, and Sfing at minute 90 when comparing heating that was initiated at the beginning of COLD versus delayed heating. In conclusion, heating using either COMB or ARM, compared with CON and FACE, improved Thand and Tfing and reduced the decline in dexterity by 20%–50% and Sfing by 90%. Furthermore, delayed heating had no deleterious effect on Thand, Tfing, dexterity, and Sfing compared with heating that started at the beginning of cold exposure. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrated that, during sedentary cold air exposure, localized heating that was applied from the beginning of cold exposure on the forearm increases hand and finger temperatures and finger strength, leading to subsequent improvements in manual dexterity. In addition, localized heating that was delayed until finger temperatures cooled significantly also caused higher peripheral temperatures, leading to better strength and manual dexterity, compared with no heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand dexterity is an important index to assess whether extravehicular activity (EVA) gloves are appropriately designed. Pressurized gloves and low temperature environments can both cause a decrease in hand dexterity. However, due to the difficulty in performing tests under extreme conditions, there has been no report on dexterity tests with gloves under pressure and low temperature. To fill this gap, we performed a dexterity test of EVA gloves with twelve male volunteers involved under the extreme conditions, which were created in the low-pressure simulation cabin with vaporized liquid nitrogen used to cool it down. A total of nine conditions were designed. Purdue pegboard test and nut fastening test were improved before being applied in a hand dexterity test. Completion times for both tests, finger temperatures and cold feeling of the hand were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that the completion times for both tests increased either as the temperature decreased or as the pressure increased. Furthermore, a combined effect of low temperature and pressure was observed. The study provides evidence in support of astronaut training and optimization of EVA glove productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of volatiles from Pistacia chinensis Bunge and Juniperus chinensis cv. Kaizuka on human emotions were investigated. The volatiles were analyzed using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Human emotions were defined and measured using several physiological indices, including oxygen saturation of blood (OSB), finger temperature (FT), pulmonary ventilation volume (PVV), and electrocardiograph (ECG). These indices were measured using a multi-conductive physiology technique. The results showed that after participants had inhaled volatiles from P. chinensis Bunge, their OSB and FT decreased significantly (P＜0.05) in comparison to the control group, while the PVV increased. After inhaling the volatiles from J. chinensis cv. Kaizuka, the OSB and FT increased, while the PVV decreased. In addition, women’s FT and PVV and men’s OSB and PVV differed significantly from those of the control group (P＜0.05). Some ECG indices were also affected by the inhalation of volatiles. These results indicated that people tend to feel more excited or nervous when in the presence of P. chinensis Bunge, and more relaxed and comfortable while in the presence of J. chinensis cv. Kaizuka.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) and thermal responses to metabolically demanding multi-day military operations in extreme cold-weather environments are not well described. Characterization of these operations will provide greater insights into possible performance capabilities and cold injury risk. Methods: Soldiers from two cold-weather field training exercises (FTX) were studied during 3-day (study 1, n = 18, age: 20 ± 1 year, height: 182 ± 7 cm, mass: 82 ± 9 kg) and 4-day (study 2, n = 10, age: 20 ± 1 year, height: 182 ± 6 cm, mass: 80.7 ± 8.3 kg) ski marches in the Arctic. Ambient temperature ranged from −18 to −4 °C during both studies. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE, from doubly labeled water), heart rate (HR), deep body ( T ), and torso ( T ) skin temperature (obtained in studies 1 and 2) as well as finger ( T ), toe ( T ), wrist, and calf temperatures (study 2) were measured. Results: TDEE was 6821 ± 578 kcal day and 6394 ± 544 for study 1 and study 2, respectively. Mean HR ranged from 120 to 140 bpm and mean T ranged between 37.5 and 38.0 °C during skiing in both studies. At rest, mean T ranged from 36.0 to 36.5 °C, (lowest value recorded was 35.5 °C). Mean T ranged from 32 to 35 °C during exercise and dropped to 15 °C during rest, with some T values as low as 6-10 °C. T was above 30 °C during skiing but dropped to 15-20 °C during rest. Conclusions: Daily energy expenditures were among the highest observed for a military training exercise, with moderate exercise intensity levels (~65% age-predicted maximal HR) observed. The short-term cold-weather training did not elicit high CV and T strain. T and T were also well maintained while skiing, but decreased to values associated with thermal discomfort at rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The ambulance milieu does not offer good thermal comfort to patients during the cold Swedish winters. Patients’ exposure to cold temperatures combined with a cold ambulance mattress seems to be the major factor leading to an overall sensation of discomfort. There is little research on the effect of active heat delivered from underneath in ambulance care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an electrically heated ambulance mattress-prototype on thermal comfort and patients’ temperatures in the prehospital emergency care. Methods A quantitative intervention study on ambulance care was conducted in the north of Sweden. The ambulance used for the intervention group (n=30) was equipped with an electrically heated mattress on the regular ambulance stretcher whereas for the control group (n=30) no active heat was provided on the stretcher. Outcome variables were measured as thermal comfort on the Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS), subjective comments on cold experiences, and finger, ear and air temperatures. Results Thermal comfort, measured by CDS, improved during the ambulance transport to the emergency department in the intervention group (p=0.001) but decreased in the control group (p=0.014). A significant higher proportion (57%) of the control group rated the stretcher as cold to lie down compared to the intervention group (3%, p<0.001). At arrival, finger, ear and compartment air temperature showed no statistical significant difference between groups. Mean transport time was approximately 15 minutes. Conclusions The use of active heat from underneath increases the patients’ thermal comfort and may prevent the negative consequences of cold stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis or asthma have skin conductance over the acupoints that is lower than that of their healthy counterparts; this has been regarded as indirect evidence of the existence of acupoints and the energy-based model of diseases. In order to investigate the potential application of acupoint-skin conductance measurement that may reflect pathology of ischemic stroke, the present study recruited 34 stroke survivors with hemiparesis, whose skin conductance of a hand acupoint and an adjacent non-acupoint and the finger temperature in both affected and unaffected hands were simultaneously measured; the data revealed that the skin conductance and finger temperature were statistically higher in the unaffected hand than that of the affected, and the skin conductance of the acupoint and the non-acupoint were comparable in the affected and unaffected hands respectively. We attribute the observed drop in the skin conductance to the diminished peripheral blood flow of the affected hand that is signified by relatively lower finger temperature. As such, it should be advisable when studying skin conductance over acupoints, monitoring the adjacent non-acupoint skin and local vascular circulation is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Songs that convey sorrowful emotions enjoy widespread popularity. The expressions and effects of negative emotions vary considerably across cultures and musical forms. This study explores the physiological responses to five popular “heartbreak” songs, focusing on the relationships between the temporal dynamics of emotion and the verse-chorus form. Listeners’ skin conductance and finger temperature were used to infer levels of arousal and relaxation, and the analysis of these time-series data was guided by a priori knowledge of the musical form. We found that two particular time periods in these songs, the passage preceding the chorus and the entrance of the chorus, evoked significant skin conductance responses. Given that the chorus is usually the most favorite element of a popular song, these two responses may reflect the elevated arousal associated with the feelings of “wanting” and “liking”, respectively. Moreover, the average finger temperature exhibited a U-shaped curve across each song. The significant decreases of finger temperature within the first part of songs revealed an accumulation of negative emotions in listeners, whereas the significant increases of finger temperature within the second part may reflect a release, resolution, or regulation of negative emotions. Our findings shed new light on the rewarding nature of the chorus and the cathartic effects associated with the verse-chorus form of heartbreak songs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Five typical Autonomic Response Pattern (ARP) were identified. [•] An autonomic vector space was constructed and normalized for each typical ARP. [•] The vector length in this space provides a Psychophysiological Arousal Value (PAV). [•] The PAV equalized autonomic differences among ARP-groups, but still reflected mental load. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Exposure to cold temperatures is often a neglected problem in prehospital care. Cold exposure increase thermal discomfort and, if untreated causes disturbances of vital body functions until ultimately reaching hypothermia. It may also impair cognitive function, increase pain and contribute to fear and an overall sense of dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate injured and ill patients' experiences of cold exposure and to identify related factors. Method: During January to March 2011, 62 consecutively selected patients were observed when they were cared for by ambulance nursing staff in prehospital care in the north of Sweden. The field study was based on observations, questions about thermal discomfort and temperature measurements (mattress air and patients' finger temperature). Based on the observation protocol the participants were divided into two groups, one group that stated it was cold in the patient compartment in the ambulance and another group that did not. Continuous variables were analyzed with independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test and dichotomous variables with cross tabulation. Results: In the ambulance 85% of the patients had a finger temperature below comfort zone and 44% experienced the ambient temperature in the patient compartment in the ambulance to be cold. There was a significant decrease in finger temperature from the first measurement indoor compared to measurement in the ambulance. The mattress temperature at the ambulance ranged from -22.3°C to 8.4°C. Conclusion: Cold exposure in winter time is common in prehospital care. Sick and injured patients immediately react to cold exposure with decreasing finger temperature and experience of discomfort from cold. Keeping the patient in the comfort zone is of great importance. Further studies are needed to increase knowledge which can be a base for implications in prehospital care for patients who probably already suffer for other reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Methodology: The authors used a randomized clinical trial design and randomly allocated the 24 enrolled participants to the experimental or the control group. Patients in the experimental group received music therapy in a therapy room at a set time for 30 min each morning for 11 days. The authors administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and measured skin temperature and brain waves to determine anxiety level before, during, and after music therapy. Results: Experimental group participants had lower scores on the BAI than control participants, after the music therapy (z = −2.0, p < .05) and at 1-week follow-up (z = −2.2, p < .05), indicating that they were experiencing significantly less anxiety. The mean BAI anxiety score fell in the experimental group from 23.9 (SD = 9.9) at baseline to 13.9 (SD = 8.8), after music therapy, and 12.7. (SD = 10.5) at follow-up. The experimental group demonstrated a significant elevation in the average alpha electroencephalographic (EEG) percentage (from 38.1% to 46.7%) and a reduction in the average beta EEG percentage (from 61.9% to 53.4%) after the music therapy. After adjusting for change in patient finger temperature on the first day, mean change in finger temperature did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: Music therapy can relieve anxiety in hospitalized psychiatric patients and help them achieve a state of relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We investigated the effects of angry prosody, varying focus of attention, and laterality of presentation of angry prosody on peripheral nervous system activity. Participants paid attention to either their left or their right ear while performing a sex discrimination task on dichotically presented pseudo-words. These pseudo-words were characterized by either angry or neutral prosody and presented stereophonically (anger/neutral, neutral/anger, or neutral/neutral, for the left/right ear, respectively). Reaction times and physiological responses (heart period, skin conductance, finger and forehead temperature) in this study were differentially sensitive to the effects of anger versus neutral prosody, varying focus of attention, and laterality of presentation of angry prosody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the emotion literature, appraisals of an event''s pleasantness and goal conduciveness are often considered as interchangeable and subsumed under the term valence. Some appraisal theories, however, emphasize that there is a conceptual difference between these two appraisals. With the current study, we investigated whether such a conceptual difference would be reflected in different somatovisceral response profiles for intrinsic pleasantness and goal conduciveness. Participants viewed unpleasant and pleasant pictures (intrinsic pleasantness) and performed either goal conducive (i.e., decreasing the size of unpleasant pictures, increasing the size of pleasant pictures) or goal obstructive (i.e., increasing the size of unpleasant pictures, decreasing the size of pleasant pictures) arm movements. Our data suggest that the two appraisals have somewhat similar, but not identical, response patterns. Thus, our results emphasize the importance of distinguishing between intrinsic pleasantness and goal conduciveness. Moreover, we find evidence that the efferent effects of the two appraisals combine multiplicatively, and that predictability of goal conduciveness may influence the impact of goal conduciveness appraisals on somatovisceral responding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous studies of emotion regulation suggested that reappraisal (construing an emotional event in non-emotional terms) has no cognitive or physiological consequences, but in all these studies, reappraisal was instructed ahead of an emotional situation. The authors'' recent work, using behavioral indices, showed that inhibitory self-control resources are challenged when reappraisal starts late during an emotional situation relative to late instruction of distraction (diverting attention through producing neutral thoughts). The present study provides converging physiological evidence in showing that instructing to use reappraisal but not distraction late in a sadness inducing film involved increased skin conductance and decreased finger temperature. Both of these results are indicative of increased sympathetic activation that has been previously found to accompany inhibitory self-control effort. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been established as an efficacious therapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The working mechanism of the procedure is, however, still partly unknown. It is therefore important to explore the physiological effects of eye movements and alternative bilateral stimulation. This article describes our research on the effects of eye movements during authentic EMDR sessions of chronic PTSD in refugees with war and torture experiences and places this research in the context of other findings. The fi ndings point to definite physiological effects of eye movements; namely a dearousal with increased finger temperature and changes in the balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomous nervous systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) is an acute increase in peripheral blood flow observed during cold exposures. It is hypothesized to protect against cold injuries, yet despite continuous research it remains an unexplained phenomenon. Contrary to the traditionally held view, we propose that CIVD is a thermoregulatory reflex mechanism contributing to heat loss. Ten adults (4 females; 23.8 +/- 2.0 years) randomly underwent three 130-min exposures to -20 degrees C incorporating a 10-min moderate exercise period at the 65th min, while wearing a liquid conditioning garment (LCG) and military arctic clothing. In the pre-warming condition, rectal temperature was increased by 0.5 degrees C via the LCG before the cold exposure. In the warming condition, participants regulated the LCG throughout the cold exposure to subjective comfort. In the control condition, the LCG was worn but was not operated either before or during the cold exposure. Results demonstrated that the majority of CIVD occurred during the warming condition when the thermometrically-estimated mean body temperature (T (b)) was at its highest. A thermoregulatory pattern was identified whereby CIVD occurred soon after T (b) increased past a threshold (approximately 36.65 degrees C in warming and pre-warming; approximately 36.4 degrees C in control). When CIVD occurred, T (b) was reduced and CIVD ceased when T (b) fell below the threshold. These findings were independent of extremity temperature since CIVD episodes occurred at a large range of finger temperatures (7.2-33.5 degrees C). These observations were statistically confirmed by auto-regressive integrated moving average analysis (t = 9.602, P < 0.001). We conclude that CIVD is triggered by increased T (b) supporting the hypothesis that CIVD is a thermoregulatory mechanism contributing to heat loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the influence of 1) prior increase [preheating (PHT)], 2) increase throughout [heating (HT)], and 3) no increase [control (Con)] of body heat content (Hb) on neuromuscular function and manual dexterity of the hands during a 130-min exposure to -20°C (coldEx). Ten volunteers randomly underwent three passive coldEx, incorporating a 10-min moderate-exercise period at the 65th min while wearing a liquid conditioning garment (LCG) and military arctic clothing. In PHT, 50°C water was circulated in the LCG before coldEx until core temperature was increased by 0.5°C. In HT, participants regulated the inlet LCG water temperature throughout coldEx to subjective comfort, while the LCG was not operating in Con. Thermal comfort, rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, mean finger temperature (Tfing), change in Hb (ΔHb), rate of body heat storage, Purdue pegboard test, finger tapping, handgrip, maximum voluntary contraction, and evoked twitch force of the first dorsal interosseus muscle were recorded. Results demonstrated that, unlike in HT and PHT, thermal comfort, rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, twitch force, maximum voluntary contraction, and finger tapping declined significantly in Con. In contrast, Tfing and Purdue pegboard test remained constant only in HT. Generalized estimating equations demonstrated that ΔHb and Tfing were associated over time with hand function, whereas no significant association was detected for rate of body heat storage. It is concluded that increasing Hb not only throughout but also before a coldEx is effective in maintaining hand function. In addition, we found that the best indicator of hand function is ΔHb followed by Tfing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For good sleepers, distal skin temperatures (e.g., hands and feet) have been shown to increase when sleep is attempted. This process is said to reflect the body's action to lose heat from the core via the periphery. However, little is known regarding whether the same process occurs for insomniacs, It would be expected that insomniacs would have restricted heat loss due to anxiety when attempting sleep. The present study compared the finger skin temperature changes when sleep was attempted for II chronic primary insomniacs [mean age = 40.0 years (SD 13.3)] and 8 good sleepers [mean age = 38.6 years (SD 13.2) in a 26-h constant routine protocol with the inclusion of multiple-sleep latency tests. Contrary to predictions, insomniacs demonstrated increases in finger skin temperature when attempting sleep that were significantly greater than those in good sleepers (P = 0.001), even though there was no significant differences in baseline finger temperature (P = 0.25). These significant increases occurred despite insomniacs reporting significantly greater sleep anticipatory anxiety (P < 0.0008). Interestingly, the core body temperature mesor of insomniacs (37.0 ± 0.2°C) was significantly higher than good sleepers (36.8 ± 0.2°C; P = 0.03). Whether insomniacs could have impaired heat loss that is masked by elevated heat production is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin temperature circadian rhythms have been explored relatively recently. It has been suggested that distal and proximal skin temperature changes play a role in the regulation of the core temperature circadian rhythm and sleepiness. The authors investigated the circadian finger and core temperature rhythms in conjunction with the circadian rhythms of subjective and objective sleepiness. Fourteen healthy, young, good sleepers participated in a modified constant-routine procedure in which palmar finger temperature, rectal temperature, subjective sleepiness, and objective sleep latency were measured half-hourly across a 48-h period of enforced wakeful bed rest. Individual curves were adjusted to the group mean temperature minimum time of 0500 h and averaged to create the 4 mean curves. The 5 possible cross-correlation curves between these 4 measures were calculated for half-hourly phase lags from 12 h before to 12 h after the group mean core temperature minimum time. Maximum cross-correlations for each curve suggested that finger temperature preceded core temperature by 3 h (r =-0.22), and subjective sleepiness followed core temperature by 0.5 h (r = -0.33) and objective sleepiness by 2 h (r = 0.29). Although these data are correlational, they are consistent with the notion that finger temperature changes drive core temperature changes, which determine changes of subjective and objective sleepiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY A resurgence in the field of sleep initiation and thermoregulation has seen a number of investigators reporting relatively gradual increases in distal skin temperatures of the hands and feet prior to sleep onset at typical bedtimes. The present study extends upon prior knowledge by investigating whether: (1) this is a change of distal skin temperature triggered specifically by the attempt to fall asleep and (2) whether this relationship holds for various phases of the circadian rhythm whenever sleep is attempted. Fourteen healthy good sleepers participated in a modified 45-h constant routine (CR) with multiple sleep onset latency tests (MSLT) conducted every half hour. After a brief decrease of finger temperature associated with small postural adjustments at the beginning of each sleep latency test, finger temperature showed rapid (0.8 °C min-1 ) increases of 1–3 °C leading up to the onset of sleep. This rapid increase of finger temperature was relatively consistent across the 45-h CR, despite very significant circadian variation of the pre-MSLT baseline finger temperature and homeostatic decrease of sleep latency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]