The association between cardiovascular stress responsivity and perceived stress among subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and temporomandibular joint disorder: A preliminary analysis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2000
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Abstract
This study sought to evaluate the association between perceived and cardiovascular stress responsivity among subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ). Eight participants with IBS, eight participants with TMJ and 16 nonsymptomatic comparison participants took part in the experiment. Participants completed a series of personality and mood questionnaires as well as a laboratory procedure measuring aerobic fitness, cardiovascular responses (i.e., pulse rate and blood pressure), and perceived stress while performing stressful laboratory tasks (i.e., the Stroop Color Naming Test and a speech task). Although IBS and TMJ participants did not vary significantly from comparison participants in blood pressure or heart rate during the laboratory procedures, IBS and TMJ participants reported experiencing the laboratory tasks as more stressful than comparison participants. Although preliminary due to the small sample size, results suggest that IBS and TMJ sufferers may be more sensitive to perceived stress than others.
Recommended Citation
Plante, T.G., & Ford, M. (2000). The association between cardiovascular stress responsivity and perceived stress among subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and temporomandibular joint disorder: A preliminary analysis. International Journal of Stress Management, 7, 103-119.