KUMJ | VOL. 17 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 68 | OCT.-DEC. 2019
Skin Conductance and RR Interval for Regulated Discrete Physiological Stimuli: A Two Prong Strategy to Detect Sympathetic Activation
Nepal O, Manandhar L, Jha RK
Abstract: Background
Several studies have found skin conductance a good indicator for detection of
sympathetic response. But, valid and reliable tool for detection of sympathetic
outflow in health and disease is still a quest. Thereby, comparison of superficial and,
at core sympathetic effluence induced by deliberately supplied discrete external
stimuli has been attempted in this study.
Objective
To assess the degree of sympathetic outflow for discrete cognitive and physical
stimuli through perturbations in skin conductance and variations in heart rate in
healthy adults.
Method
Quantitative and cross-sectional study was performed in 104 healthy subjects
following random sampling method. Induction of sympathetic activity was realized
by providing separate time bound cognitive exercises intervened with change in
posture. Recordings to detect sympathetic responses at rest and, for supplied stimuli
were made by electrocardiogram and galvanic skin response.
Result
Cognitive performance and postural change shifts baseline effluence and increases
the sympathetic outflow significantly (p=0.000). There occurs no detectable rise in
sympathetic effluence at the core (p=0.362) but, eventuate significantly appreciable
sympathetic outflow to sweat glands in skin (p=0.000), when compared cognitive
versus physical stimuli.
Conclusion
Sympathetic outflow induced by cognitive challenge and physical change in posture is
readily assessable through sympathetic skin response yet core sympathetic effluence
for latter stimuli is steady and unwavering. Differential effluence for sympathetic
response called upon by discrete stimuli is operational for maintenance of steady
state in healthy subjects.
Keyword : Galvanic skin response, Psychogalvanic reflex, Sympathetic outflow
