PT Journal
AU Siska, E
   Kudlacek, M
   Sterbova, D
   Stejskal, P
TI The administration of the Rorschach inkblot method and changes in autonomic nervous system activity
SO Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica
PY 2009
BP 31
EP 42
VL 39
IS 3
DE Rorschach test; psychological stress; heart rate variability; spectral analysis; vagal activity; sympathetic activity; sympathovagal balance
AB Background: The administration of some psychological methods can be a temporary source of stress and evoke in some patients a pathophysiological reaction with a negative health outcome. Objective: The aim of the study was to find out whether the administration of the Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM) can change the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in terms of shifting the sympathovagal balance towards sympathetic activity. Methods: The RIM test was applied to 39 healthy females (22.8 ± 2.4 years). ANS activity was measured by the spectral analysis of heart rate variability (SA HRV) before, during, and after the RIM test. The same algorithm as in the previous procedure was employed in 30 healthy females (21.41 ± 1.7 years), however the Stroop color word test (SCWD), a very powerful stressor with a marked impact on ANS activity, instead of the RIM, was administered. Five relative parameters of SA HRV were used: percentages of VLF (very low frequency), LF (low frequency) and HF (high frequency) components (from the spectral power total) and VLF/HF and LF/HF ratios. Changes in VLF/HF and LF/HF during the RIM and SCWT tests were used to compare the tests. Results: During the RIM administration, a significant decrease in spectral power in HF (%), a significant increase in VLF (%) and LF (%), and a significant increase in LF/HF and VLF/HF ratios have been shown. No significant differences in VLF/HF (markers of stressful situations) among the RIM and the SCWT were found. Conclusions: The administration of the RIM can act as a powerful stressor and causes a significant decrease in parasympathetic activity and the shift of sympathovagal balance towards sympathetic activity. Administration of RIM and SCWT tests can produce stress of comparable intensity, with a similar impact on ANS activity.
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