Associations Among Hypersensitivity,Vagal Tone,and Mood State in Adults

Abstract

Although many previous studies have reported the relationship between hypersensitivity and vagal function in children, the relationship in adults is unclear. This study investigates the relationship between hypersensitivity and vagal function, discomfort to sensory stimuli, and daily mood states in healthy adults. Using a questionnaire, 39 healthy adults were divided into hypersensitivity and control groups. We compared the baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), reflecting vagal tone and reactivity, subjective discomfort to sensory stimuli, and daily mood status between groups. Those in the hypersensitivity group had significantly lower baseline RSA and were more likely to experience greater RSA variability and discomfort during exposure to sensory stimuli than the control group. We found no significant difference between groups in daily mood status. These findings suggest that vagal function is an important marker of hypersensitivity in healthy adults.

Plain Language Summary

Relationships Among Hypersensitivity, Parasympathetic Function, and Mood States in Adults

Previous studies in children have reported many associations between sensory characteristics, such as hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, and parasympathetic function, but the association in adults is not clear. This study divided 39 healthy adults into a hypersensitivity group and a control group and compared their parasympathetic function, discomfort to sensory stimuli, and daily mood. We found that the hypersensitivity group had significantly lower baseline parasympathetic function and tended to experience greater fluctuations in parasympathetic activity and discomfort during sensory stimulation than the control group. However, we found no significant difference in daily mood between the groups. This suggests that parasympathetic function is an important marker of hypersensitivity in healthy adults. This may help therapists support those with hypersensitivity. Future research is needed in clinical practice.

Keywords

hypersensitivity sensory process vagal tone respiratory sinus arrhythmia mood

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