Walter Hubert

Psychophysiological response patterns to positive and negative film stimuli

The aim of the present study was to investigate differential emotional response patterns to film stimuli by multimodal assessment of mood ratings, perception of bodily sensations, salivary cortisol, autonomic variables and facial electromyogram (EMG). Film stimuli, chosen to elicit positive and negative emotional states, were presented to 12 subjects with general anxiety disorder and 12 controls. Changes in mood, bodily sensations, autonomic activity (heart rate, respiration rate and skin conductance), facial EMG activity (corrugator and zygomatic muscle region) and salivary cortisol were measured. Analyses revealed differential changes in all response systems except for respiration rate and salivary cortisol. Although high-anxious subjects did not differ from controls in their average responses to the negative film stimuli, there is a tendency of a greater coherence of emotional response components in generalized anxiety subjects. However, spontaneous facial expressions to positive and negative film stimuli were associated with augmented electrodermal activity within both groups. Results are interpreted in light of directional response fractionation, dimensional approaches of emotion, and the facial feedback literature.

Changes in saliva testosterone after psychological stimulation in men

Saliva testosterone (ST) concentration was measured in 20 young adult and healthy men before, during and after the presentation of five different films. The films were selected to provoke erotic, sexual, aggressive, stressful and neutral stimulation, respectively. An increase in ST was found 15 min after the onset of both the erotic and the sexual stimulation, while a decline of ST levels was observed during the stressful movie showing dental surgery. No changes were found for either the neutral or the aggressive stimulant. Furthermore, no differences were found between ST levels before and after the showing of any of the films. Thus, saliva testosterone responds quickly to psychological stimulation, and may provide a practical alternative to testosterone measurements in serum under psychological test situations.

Autonomic, neuroendocrine, and subjective responses to emotion-inducing film stimuli

The aim of the present study was to investigate differential emotional response patterns to film stimuli by multimodal assessment of subjective, autonomic and endocrine variables. Scenes of two films, chosen to induce different affective states, were presented to 20 male subjects. Changes in mood and perceived bodily sensations, autonomic activity (heart rate and skin conductance) and one endocrine parameter (salivary cortisol) were measured. Analyses revealed that the films elicited differential mood patterns. The cartoon film, which induced a pleasant, amused state, was accompanied by very few changes in bodily sensations, a temporary decrease in heart rate, and a rapid decrease in electrodermal activity. The suspense film, which elicited a marked reduction in joyfulness and relaxation together with an enhancement in irritation, differed from that pattern primarily by marked changes in several bodily sensations, an increase in electrodermal activity, and a temporary decrease in heart rate. There were no film-dependent cortisol changes. The results together with evidence from other emotion induction experiments support the usefulness of film segments in eliciting mild to moderate affective states and their concomitances. They particularly point to the relevance of bodily sensations as an emotional response component.

Saliva Cortisol Responses to Unpleasant Film Stimuli Differ between High and Low Trait Anxious Subjects

The present study, which aims to investigate effects of low and high trait anxiety on saliva cortisol secretion, was performed on 64 healthy male volunteers. They were assigned either to an unpleasant or a control film. Furthermore, subjects were divided within each film group by median split of their anxiety ratings into high and low trait anxious groups, resulting in four equal-sized groups. Saliva cortisol and mood ratings were the dependent variables. In contrast to the low anxious, the high anxious subjects responded with a diminished saliva cortisol response.

Male infertility: relationships among gonadotropins, sex steroids, seminal parameters, and personality attitudes.

&NA; We investigated the relationship between objective psychologic test data and endocrine parameters as well as ejaculate characteristics in 117 husbands in barren couples. Data analysis suggests that test scores indicating high self‐confidence, extraversion, and social assertiveness correspond negatively with male fertility parameters. Our results show that levels of gonadotropins and sex steroids, as well as accessory gland functions, are not randomly related to personality attitudes in these patients, but support the idea that psychologic factors are relevant in male infertility.

Film-induced amusement changes in saliva cortisol levels

The present study, aimed at investigating effects of film-induced amusement on saliva cortisol levels, was performed on 52 healthy male volunteers, aged 19-31 years. They were assigned to an amusement or a control condition. Saliva cortisol and affective film ratings were the dependent variables. During amusement 50% of the subjects showed changes in saliva cortisol correlated positively with ratings of funniness. Thus, cortisol secretion may be linked to emotional arousal, regardless of the emotional valence.

Psychobiological profiles in infertile men.

To investigate the psychosomatic impact in male infertility, we analysed relationships among psychological (life events, personality attitudes) and biological (gonadotrophins, sex steroids, seminal parameters) variables in 101 husbands of barren couples. In patients with subnormal fertility parameters, personality attitudes were not different from those of a reference group of the questionnaire (FAPK) used in this study. However, patients with high scores on test scales such as regression, hypochondria, or emotional vacuity showed better fertility characteristics. These results agree with previously reported data, suggesting that social assertiveness and extraversion but not introversion and depression are associated with male infertility.

Stress Reactions in Response to the Procedure of LHRH Tests as Measured by Salivary and Serum Cortisol and Psychological Variables

Serum and salivary cortisol release and mood ratings were measured in response to the procedure of LHRH tests in 12 medical students professionally familiarized with venipunctures (familiarized subgroup) and in 5 non-medical students (unfamiliarized subgroup). There were significant differences in cortisol and mood ratings between both groups. Only the unfamiliarized subgroup showed significant increases of cortisol and higher values for tension and anxiety. Relations between cortisol, tension and anxiety confirm an effect of experimental stress on the secretion of cortisol during the procedure of LHRH tests. Novelty and subjective mood states appear to have predictive values with regard to stress-induced endocrine reactions.

Suspense Increases Salivary Cortisol

The pathological relevance of endocrine responses to stressful experiences is purely understood. This present lack of knowledge can be partly attributed to methodological difficulties, e.g. taking blood samples under laboratory conditions and limits to obtain samples continuously and in sufficient amounts. However, recent developments of highly sensitive radioimmunoassays (R1A) allow assessment of hormones in saliva. This method has the following advantages: (1) Saliva samples are easily and repeatedly obtainable by the subject himself; (1) saliva sampling does not demand stressful venipuncture; (2) sampling does not require the presence of laboratory equipment and personnel; (4) salivary hormones seem to represent the free and biological active steroid fraction which is available to target tissues. These advantages give a promising prospectus for clinical psychoendocrinology.