Simple Indicators of Arousal Levels in Psychiatric Treatment Situations

Abstract

A simple physiological battery, consisting of autonomic and behavioural measures, was investigated in a clinical psychiatric setting with respect to its discriminatory powers between various groups of subjects and to its suitability for the detection of effects of psychiatric treatment. It was found that the behavioural tests discriminate well between diagnostic groups, and that the autonomic tests, particularly the finger sweat index, are suited for the detection of strong emotional changes and of changes due to physical treatment. The results were interpreted in terms of the complexity of the control mechanisms of the tested physiological functions.