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Citation |
Neumann DR, Hammond F, Norton J, Blumenthal T. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2011; 26(5): 375-383. |
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Affiliation |
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Carolinas Rehabilitation (Drs Neumann and Hammond), and Cannon Research (Dr Norton), Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, (Dr Hammond); and Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Blumenthal). |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2011, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
21245768 |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVE:: To determine the effectiveness of a modulated acoustic startle reflex paradigm with emotional imagery in studying physiological changes associated with emotional responses in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING:: Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS:: Six individuals with moderate to severe TBI. Mean age was 32 years and mean years post injury were 9.9. METHOD:: The modulated acoustic startle reflex procedure involved imagery of emotional scripts (joy, anger,fear, and neutral) followed by a startle noise, versus startle noise alone (no script). MEASURES:: Eyeblink and skin conductance response, subjective arousal and valence ratings of the scripts, and general anger questionnaire. RESULTS:: Startle blink responses following anger imagery were significantly smaller than those following fear (P = .006) and neutral (P = .023) imagery. Skin conductance response did not change significantly based on the content of the scripts (P = .070). CONCLUSIONS:: Large startle blink responses indicate avoidance of a stimulus. Our findings suggest that participants with TBI did not have an avoidant reaction to anger-inducing stimuli. Skin conductance response findings may imply arousal impairments. The modulated acoustic startle reflex was effective in measuring emotional responses; however, larger studies comparing persons with TBI with control groups are needed to further explore these findings. Language: en |