Mobile assessment of heightened skin conductance in posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background Increased psychophysiological reactivity is a hallmark intermediate phenotype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with PTSD exhibit greater skin conductance (SC) responses to trauma scripts than trauma survivors without PTSD. However, trauma scripts require time for development and cannot be easily used in a single visit. Thus, there is a need for a low-cost, easy-to-use, SC recording protocol for PTSD assessment. Methods Using a mobile device (eSense) connected to a portable tablet computer, we assessed SC reactivity to a standard trauma interview (STI) in 63 participants recruited from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA approximately one year after trauma exposure. SC response (SCR) was calculated by subtracting the SCL at the end of the baseline recording from the maximum SC level (SCL) during the STI. Results SCL was significantly higher during the STI compared to baseline (p<0.001), and individuals with PTSD showed significantly greater SCR than individuals without PTSD (p=0.006). Logistic regression using SCR with PTSD diagnosis as the outcome showed an odds ratio of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.11-2.78). Lastly, higher SCR during the STI was also significantly associated with PTSD symptom total score controlling for demographics and trauma severity (b=0.42, p=0.001). Conclusions The current study demonstrated feasibility of the use of a mobile device for assessing psychophysiological reactivity in those with PTSD. The use of this low-cost, easy-to-use mobile device to collect objective physiological data in concert with a standardized trauma interview can be easily disseminated in clinical and research settings.

e-PTSD: an overview on how new technologies can improve prediction and assessment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

“…The patient directs an avatar confronted with elements potentially triggering his symptoms (Myers et al, 2016) with the possibility of live monitoring physiological function (Costanzo et al, 2014; Webb, Vincent, Jin, & Pollack, 2015; Wiederhold, Jang, Kim, & Wiederhold, 2002). Indeed, skin conductance, already correlated in many studies (Blechert, Michael, Grossman, Lajtman, & Wilhelm, 2007, Bryant, Harvey, Gordon, & Barry, 1995) with PTSD, may be used as a diagnostic tool (Hinrichs et al, 2017) as it appears correlated with PTSD intensity. However, the capability of VR to reproduce traumatic events or to trigger symptoms with sufficient power is questioned (Van’T Wout, Spofford, Unger, Sevin, & Shea, 2017).…”

Increased Skin Conductance Response in the Immediate Aftermath of Trauma Predicts PTSD Risk

“…As SCR has been found to be elevated in response to trauma-related stimuli in both chronic PTSD patients (7) as well as in the immediate aftermath of trauma, it provides a unique opportunity to identify risk for PTSD in the population as traumas occur. Traditional methods of recording SCR have been cumbersome, cost-prohibitive, and have required special training to ensure reliable data acquisition and analysis.…”

“…The baseline recording was immediately followed by a SC level recording during the administration of the STI. As in our previous study, SC response (SCR) was calculated by subtracting the maximum SC value during the STI from the average SC for the final 30 seconds at the end of the baseline recording (7). Usable SC data was defined as recordings with no technical errors or faults in the recording system/electrical noise.…”

“…Technological advances now make it possible for SC or HR to be recorded continuously during a trauma interview using mobile applications on smartphones and tablets via very simple and cost-effective devices in clinical settings. We have previously shown that we can differentiate patients with chronic PTSD compared to those without PTSD using this approach during a standardized trauma interview in a cross-sectional study of clinic patients (7).…”

Avocado (Persea americana) pulp improves cardiovascular and autonomic recovery following submaximal running: a crossover, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial

“…Avocado pulp was prepared in Marilia, SP, Southeastern region of Brazil. Then, the subjects began treadmill exercise with slope of 1% for the first 5 min to warm up (50-55% of maximal HR (HR max ): 208 -0.7 × age) 35 , after this, speed increased by increments of 0.5 km/h every minute until reaching submaximal HR, and then remained at this speed for 25 min (65-70% of HR max ). Immediately after exercise, the subjects endured three minutes standing on the treadmill and were then seated for passive recovery for a further 57 min, totaling 60 min of recovery.…”