Abstract
32 subjects were randomly divided into Pleasant and Unpleasant groups depending upon whether the subjects viewed pleasant or unpleasant photographs. Subjects sat in a chair for 16 min. of baseline measurement prior to the 16 min. of photograph-viewing. The 16 subjects in the Pleasant group viewed a set of pleasant photographs. The 16 subjects in the Unpleasant group viewed a set of unpleasant photographs. Electrogastrographic (EGG) activities were recorded continuously throughout the baseline and photograph-viewing periods. The spectral power of EGG activity of 3 cycles per minute (cpm) was calculated. The ratios of EGG 3 cpm spectral power for the period of viewing photographs and baseline were then obtained. The statistical analysis indicated that the EGG amplitude at 3 cpm during the period of viewing unpleasant photographs was significantly lower than that of baseline period and that the EGG ratio between the photograph-viewing and baseline periods was significantly lower in the Unpleasant group than in the Pleasant group. In conclusion, viewing unpleasant photographs significantly inhibited gastric motility indexed by decreased power of EGG activities at 3 cpm.
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