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PubMed1994

Perception of pain and exertion during exercise on a cycle ergometer in chronic pain patients.

HYPOTHESIS: Chronic pain patients (CPP) are generally thought to present with reduced fitness in relation with pain enhancement during exercise. A distortion of exertion perception may coexist, which could lead CPP to reduce physical activities. DESIGN: Case-control study, with a nonrandomized consecutive sample that was age matched. SETTING: A Chronic Pain Unit in a Multidisciplinary Pain Center of a university hospital in a city of > 1,000,000 inhabitants. SUBJECTS: 42 CPP referred for evaluation and 34 controls (staff members and relatives). OUTCOME MEASURES: Fitness index and exertion perception index was obtained by a cycle ergometer test. Trend analysis was performed on pain scores reported on a visual analogue scale during exertion. RESULTS: Male CPP mean fitness index was found to be significantly reduced. No difference in exertion perception was found between groups. Trend analysis of reported pain revealed that 49% of CPP showed a positive trend, 5% a negative trend, and 46% showed no significant trend as exercise intensity increased. There was no significant relation between type of trend and fitness nor exertion perception index. CONCLUSIONS: Only male CPP have a reduced work capacity. Exertion perception seems normal among CPP. The possible distortion of exertion perception as a causal factor in the reduced fitness of CPP has to be rejected. Lack of significant correlation between type of trend of pain while exercising on a cycle ergometer and fitness index shows that one should be careful in proposing that reduced fitness is only related to pain enhancement during exercise in CPP.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Global self-worth, specific self-perceptions of competence, and depression in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was (1) to study adolescent depression severity in relation to global self-worth and specific self-perceptions of competence, and (2) to determine whether improvement in depression during hospitalization is accompanied by improvement in global self-worth and specific self-perceptions. METHOD: A within-subject longitudinal design with cross-sectional control subjects was used. Thirty depressed adolescent inpatients participated in assessments of depression severity (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) and self-perceptions of global self-worth and domain-specific competencies (Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents) at hospital admission and discharge (mean hospitalization: 59 days). A demographically similar group of 30 normal comparison subjects participated in the baseline assessment. RESULTS: Global self-worth was negatively associated with inpatients' depression severity and differentiated inpatients from normal comparison subjects. Self-perceptions of specific competencies were differentially related to depression severity, with perceived social acceptance being most clearly related to depression severity. Among the subgroup of inpatients showing clear and significant improvement in depression across hospitalization, increases in global self-worth and perceived social acceptance were also evident. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the importance of considering global self-worth and self-perceptions of specific competencies in developmentally significant areas when assessing and treating adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Relationship between dental pain perception and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure: a study on 181 subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dental pain perception in a large group of essential hypertensive subjects. METHODS: A total of 130 hypertensive patients together with 51 normotensive subjects were submitted to tooth-electrical stimulation to determine the dental pain threshold (occurrence of pulp sensation) and tolerance (time when the subject asked for the test to be stopped). Blood pressure was measured at rest, before pain perception evaluation, and during a 24 h period by ambulatory monitoring. RESULTS: The normotensive and hypertensive subjects differed with regard to pain threshold (P = 0.002) and tolerance (P = 0.01). Pain perception variables were significantly correlated with both resting blood pressure and 24 h, diurnal and nocturnal arterial pressures, the correlation between pain threshold and 24 h systolic blood pressure being the most significant (r = 0.31, P < 0.0001). By contrast, parameters indicating 24 h blood pressure variability (percentage of nocturnal blood pressure reduction and 24 h blood pressure variation coefficients) were not associated with pain perception. Moreover, among the hypertensives only, a significant relationship was observed between pain sensitivity and both baseline and 24 h pressures. No association was found when pain perception and blood pressure were correlated in the normotensive group. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between both baseline and 24 h blood pressure and pain perception has been confirmed in a large group study of normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Moreover, even among the hypertensive range of blood pressure, the higher the blood pressure is, the lower the sensitivity to pain is. These findings strengthen the hypothesis of a role of the degree of blood pressure elevation in modulating pain sensitivity.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A study of self-perception in hyperactive children.

PURPOSE: This research aimed to describe self-perception among hyperactive children in comparison with a general population of children of the same age. DESIGN: A descriptive study with 116 children (between 6 and 11 years of age) distributed as follows: 57 hyperactive (20 girls and 37 boys) and 59 control group (25 girls and 34 boys). The hyperactive children were being treated at the outpatient clinic of a child psychiatry hospital. The children in the control group were recruited from a Quebec City elementary school. METHODS: Children in both groups participated in an interview during which they answered the Self-Perception Profile for Children (r = 0.90) consisting of six well-defined subscales. DATA ANALYSIS: Univariate analyses were used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of both hyperactive and control group children. Groups were compared using t and chi-square tests. Univariate statistics were used to describe the characteristics of self-perception for each group overall and for each of the dimensions. Multivariate analysis was used to compare self-perception in hyperactive and control group children. RESULTS: All dimensions of self-perception were lower among hyperactive children than among children in the control group, except athletic competence, which was higher. Multivariate analysis indicated that the dimensions of scholastic competence, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct were problem areas for hyperactive children. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nursing care interventions for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be developed which assist children in increasing self-perception. This is a first step in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed2004

The relationship among physicians' specialty, perceptions of the risks and benefits of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy, and its recommendation in older patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine whether tamoxifen recommendation differs by physician specialty, to determine whether perception affects tamoxifen recommendation, and to investigate the association between the physician's specialty and the perception of risks and benefits of tamoxifen. METHODS: We enrolled a cohort of geographically diverse women aged 65 and older with stage I through IIIa breast cancer in a prospective cohort study. We recruited their surgeons and, when applicable, their medical oncologists to provide patient-specific information about their perceptions of the risks and benefits of tamoxifen and whether they recommended tamoxifen. Each physician also completed a questionnaire regarding his or her demographic and practice characteristics. Patient data were collected through medical record review and a patient interview 3 months after definitive breast cancer surgery. RESULTS: We collected physician treatment recommendation forms for 585 women. Oncologists were 2.5 times more likely to recommend tamoxifen, compared with surgeons, after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics (95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.2). For both specialties, their perceptions of the risks and benefits of tamoxifen were strong predictors of tamoxifen recommendation. However, there were differences in perception by physician specialty. Distant metastases and tolerance of tamoxifen side effects were more important to oncologists, whereas local recurrence and risk of cataracts were more important to surgeons. CONCLUSION: Physicians' perceptions of the risks and benefits of tamoxifen therapy for older women are important in their decision-making process.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

The utility of bedside ultrasound and patient perception in detecting soft tissue foreign bodies in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine if bedside ultrasound (US) and perception of wound foreign bodies (FBs) are useful screening tools for detecting wound FBs in children. METHODS: Prospective consecutive sample of children aged 18 years or younger presenting to a pediatric emergency department with wounds considered by the pediatric emergency department attending physician to be at risk for FBs was enrolled. Patients were asked if they had FB sensation in their wound(s). A bedside US of each wound was performed by the pediatric emergency department attending physician. A radiograph of each wound was obtained and interpreted by a radiologist blinded to US results and patient perception. Wound FBs were defined by the removal of a FB. The utilities of US and US with FB perception were compared with radiography for screening for wound FBs. Differences in performance characteristics among the 3 modalities were assessed using Fisher exact test. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one wounds were studied in 105 patients. FBs were identified in 12 wounds (9.2%). A subanalysis was performed on patients able to answer questions regarding their perception of wound FBs. There were no significant differences in the test performance characteristics of bedside US alone compared with radiography for detecting wound FBs. Except for specificity, there were no significant differences in the test performance characteristics of bedside US combined with perception compared with radiography for detecting wound FBs. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside US is comparable to the performance of radiography interpreted by an attending pediatric radiologist. Bedside US alone or combined with patient perception may be an adequate initial screening tool for detecting wound FBs.

Child↗

PubMed2003

The function of credibility in information processing for risk perception.

This study examines how credibility affects the way people process information and how they subsequently perceive risk. Three conceptual areas are brought together in this analysis: the psychometric model of risk perception, Eagly and Chaiken's heuristic-systematic information processing model, and Meyer's credibility index. Data come from a study of risk communication in the circumstance of state health department investigations of suspected cancer clusters (five cases, N = 696). Credibility is assessed for three information sources: state health departments, citizen groups, and industries involved in each case. Higher credibility for industry and the state directly predicts lower risk perception, whereas high credibility for citizen groups predicts greater risk perception. A path model shows that perceiving high credibility for industry and state-and perceiving low credibility for citizen groups-promotes heuristic processing, which in turn is a strong predictor of lower risk perception. Alternately, perceiving industry and the state to have low credibility also promotes greater systematic processing, which consistently leads to perception of greater risk. Between a one-fifth and one-third of the effect of credibility on risk perception is shown to be indirectly transmitted through information processing.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Risk and climate change: perceptions of key policy actors in Canada.

This article examines factors that predict perceptions of risk associated with global climate change. The research focuses on the perceptions of those associated with climate change policy making in the prairie region of Canada. The data are from an online survey (n=851) of those policy actors. The analysis integrates several dominant approaches to the study of risk perception: psychometric approaches that examine the effects of cognitive structure; demographic assessments that examine, for example, differences in perception based on gender or family status; and political approaches that suggest that one's position in the policy process may affect his or her perceived risk. Attitudes toward climate change are to a degree predicted by all of these factors, but only when indirect effects are observed. Sociodemographic characteristics have little direct effect on perceived risk, but do affect general beliefs that affect risk perceptions. Perceived risk is related more strongly to these general beliefs or world views than to more specific beliefs about the effects of climate change on weather patterns. Position within the policy process also contributes to our understanding of perceptions, with industry and governmental actors demonstrating similar attitudes, which contrast with environmental groups and university researchers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

The good and bad death perceptions of health professionals working in palliative care.

The development of palliative care originated from shortcomings in mainstream health services. Palliative care aims to cater for both the psycho-social needs of dying patients and the allieviation of their physical symptoms. This is reflected by the good and bad death perceptions of palliative care workers, though increasing signs of institutionalization in palliative care have challenged the idealization of a good death. This study aimed to investigate the health professionals' perception of both a good and a bad death and their perception of patients' awareness context. Seventy questionnaires were distributed to nurses and social workers. The 50 returned questionnaires revealed that health professionals perceived a good death as controlling the patients' physical symptoms and psychologically preparing them, whilst a bad death was perceived as the inability to control pain and deal with any psychological distress. Factor analysis identified three main factors (lack of patient distress, patient control and staff's supporting role perceptions) in the perception of a good death whereas four main factors (the negative effect of death on the family, a patient's non-acceptance of death, not dealing with patients' fears and the age of a dying person) were identified with the perception of a bad death. Overall, health professionals perceived themselves to be open and sensitive in communicating with patients although over half felt poorly supported by other staff.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

The congruence of elderly client and nurse perceptions of the clients' self-care agency.

Congruence of client and nurse perceptions is vital to mutual goal-setting as a means of achieving self-care in the elderly. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to explore the relationship between nurse and elderly client perceptions of the clients' self-care agency. A sample of 40 elderly client subjects and registered nurses' selected from two community health agencies, completed a questionnaire consisting of three instruments: (a) a demographic sheet; (b) the appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale; and (c) the Perceived Health Status. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were significant for the relationships between: (a) client and nurse perceptions of clients' self-care agency (r = 0.42, P less than 0.01); (b) client and nurse perceptions of clients' health status (r = 0.38, P less than 0.01; and (c) nurse perceptions of clients' self-care agency and nurse perceptions of clients' health status (r = 0.44, P less than 0.01). With increasing emphasis on health promotion of the elderly in the community, identified relationships may have potential implications for gerontological and community nursing practice.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Stimulation of the nitric oxide-guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate pathway by sildenafil: effect on rectal muscle tone, distensibility, and perception in health and in irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter in the noncholinergic, nonadrenergic nervous system, is a mediator of relaxation of GI smooth muscle and of visceral nociception mainly studied in vitro. Sildenafil stimulates the nitric oxide guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway through inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5. The aims of this study were to evaluate in vivo the effect of stimulation of the NO-cGMP pathway on rectal tone, distensibility, and perception in healthy individuals and in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: In eight healthy subjects and four patients with IBS rectal tone, distensibility and perception thresholds were measured with an electronic barostat both before and 60 min after administration of sildenafil (50 mg p.o.). Perception was scored on a graded scale of 0-6. At the end of a distension series an anatomic questionnaire was filled out by the subjects. RESULTS: Sildenafil significantly reduced rectal tone in healthy subjects (intrabag volume predrug: 145.5 +/- 18.7 ml vs postdrug: 164.4 +/- 16.9 ml, p = 0.01) and IBS (111.3 +/- 25.2 ml vs 136.5 +/- 33.3 ml; p = 0.01) but did not alter rectal compliance (healthy subjects: 5.8 +/- 0.4 vs 6.3 +/- 0.6 ml/mm Hg, p > 0.05; IBS subjects: 6.1 +/- 0.6 vs 7.1 +/- 1.0 ml/mm Hg, p > 0.05). Intrabag pressure and rectal wall tension to reach perception thresholds for initial sensation, sensation of stool, and urgency were not altered by sildenafil. However, intrabag volumes to reach these thresholds were significantly increased by sildenafil both in healthy subjects and in patients with IBS. Viscerosomatic referral was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of the NO-cGMP pathway decreases rectal tone but does not influence rectal distensibility. Relaxation of the rectum is accompanied by an increase in rectal volumes to reach perception thresholds in healthy subjects and in patients with IBS, but no direct effect on rectal perception can be demonstrated.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Psychophysical measurement of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste perception.

The ability to taste 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is genetically determined. PROP tastes moderately bitter to 'medium tasters' (MT), intensely bitter to 'supertasters' (ST), and tasteless to 'nontasters' (NT). The psychophysical method used to characterize PROP status should capture the entire range of perception, while minimizing context, ceiling and other effects. Magnitude estimation successfully captures the variability in PROP perception, but requires normalization and may be difficult to conduct in industrial settings. Two labeled scales were tested as part of three separate studies (S1, S2 and S3) to measure perceived intensity of PROP and sweeteners. All studies included reportedly healthy volunteers aged 21-62 years recruited at Cultor Food Science in Groton, CT. In S1 [n = 163 (55 males, 108 females)], subjects rated perceived intensity of PROP-saturated paper and sucrose (1.0 M) on the Labeled Magnitude (Green) Scale (LMS) [labeled line with descriptors (no taste--strongest imaginable)]. In S2 [n = 152 (49 males, 103 females)], subjects rated perceived intensity of sucrose (1.0 M) and PROP solutions (0.001 M, 0.0032 M) on the LMS. In S3 [n = 136 (48 males, 88 females)], subjects rated perceived intensity of sucrose (1.0 M) and PROP solutions (0.001 M, 0.0032 M) on a 9-point category scale (1 = not at all; 9 = extremely). In all experiments, water rinses were included between each tastant and PROP was the final stimulus. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and ANOVA. In S1 and S2, those with higher PROP perception perceived sucrose more intensely [(S1: r = 0.32; p < 0.001); (S2: r = 0.25; p < 0.01)]. A higher frequency of females were ST than males. Also, the PROP effect on sweet perception was most evident in female ST. This apparent sex difference may be the result of hormonal variation associated with menstruation. As well, in S1 and S2 subjects aged 20-40 years, females had significantly greater variance among sucrose intensity ratings than males (F = 3.66; p < 0.01), which may be due to hormonal changes with menses. The S3 results failed to show either the positive correlation between PROP and sucrose perception or the sex difference. Thus of the two labeled scales, the LMS appears to be better for assessing PROP perception, as it is continuous and also minimizes ceiling effects. Future research will extend these studies by including sucrose and high intensity sweetener concentration series.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Use of clinical services compared with patients' perceptions of and satisfaction with oral health status.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between rates of clinical service use and self-reported perception of and satisfaction with oral health status. METHODS: Dental services provision rates were calculated using health maintenance organization electronic data for members 55 years of age and older with at least four years of eligibility between 1990 and 2000. A mail survey yielded 986 responses (response rate = 65.7%). Poisson regression was used to examine the relationship between service utilization rates and self-reported perception of and satisfaction with oral health status, controlling for age, education, sex, and marital status. RESULTS: Perceptions of oral health status and levels of satisfaction with oral health status generally were closely associated. Greater dissatisfaction with oral health status and perception of poorer oral health status were associated with higher usage of nonpreventive dental services. Less satisfaction with oral health status was associated with higher restorative services usage and lower preventive services usage and slightly associated with periodontal service usage. Perception of a less favorable oral health status was strongly associated with higher restorative and periodontal services usage, but had only a weak association with preventive services usage. CONCLUSIONS: Dental plan members' service use is associated with their perception of their oral health status and their level of satisfaction with it. Future work should seek to clarify whether opinions on oral health status and satisfaction are a result of clinical experiences over time or whether the behavior and the values associated with seeking and obtaining care instead shape opinions on status and satisfaction.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1996

Peer relations, loneliness, and self-perceptions in school-aged children.

Recent studies have suggested that certain behavioural characteristics in children are closely associated with peer acceptance, and that children who are not accepted by peers are more lonely than other children. The present research examines a more comprehensive pattern of relationships. In addition to behavioural characteristics, peer acceptance, and feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction, the study includes self-perceptions of social competence, self-esteem, and goal orientation (defensive ego-involvement). A theoretical model is presented to analyse predictive relations. The model was tested on a sample of 8th grade children (N = 96). Teacher and peer assessments of behavioural characteristics (humour, externalising, internalising and prosocial behaviour) were applied. In general, results were consistent with the proposed model. Loneliness was predicted by behavioural characteristics and low peer acceptance, and strong negative paths were found from loneliness to self-esteem and perceived social competence. Self-perceptions were not predicted by peer acceptance, and few direct paths were found from behavioural characteristics to self-perceptions. Thus loneliness has a mediating position between behaviour and peer acceptance on the one hand and self-perceptions on the other hand. This indicates that children's self-perceptions are affected by their socio-emotional reactions to peer difficulties and not directly by low peer acceptance. Strong negative paths were found from self-esteem and perceived social competence to defensive ego-involvement, which suggests that negative self-perceptions may have adverse consequences for children's goal orientations. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Body sway and vibration perception thresholds in normal aging and in patients with polyneuropathy.

Body sway and vibration perception in the lower limbs were measured in 32 normal subjects and 25 patients with peripheral neuropathies; nerve conduction studies were also performed in the patients with neuropathies. Body sway was measured by means of force-plate posturography, and three methods were used to assess vibration perception: a neurothesiometer, a semiquantitative tuning fork, and the bone vibrator of a conventional audiometer. Body sway and vibration perception were increased in the patients with peripheral neuropathies and there was significant correlation between these measures.d These findings, together with the lack of correlation between sway and muscle strength, indicate that the main source of unsteadiness in these patients is the loss of proprioceptive information. Vibration perception and body sway did not correlate with the electrophysiological variables, indicating that these measures assess different aspects of peripheral nerve function. In all subjects there was close correlation between vibration perception as assessed by the neurothesiometer and the audiometer could be used to screen proprioceptive function in patients with balance disorders. In normal subjects age correlated with vibration perception (measured with the neurothesiometer and audiometer) and also with body sway standing on foam. This suggests that the increased body sway in elderly people may partly be due to redue proprioception in the lower limbs.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Quantitative thermal perception thresholds relative to exposure to vibration.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of disturbed thermal perception relative to exposure to vibration, to investigate a possible exposure-response relation and to analyse a possible relation between thermal perception and sensory symptoms. METHODS: The study was based on a cross section of 123 male workers exposed to vibration and 62 male workers who were not exposed. Thermal perception of cold, warmth, and heat pain was bilaterally determined from the thenar eminence by the method of limits. Perception of cold and warmth were also tested in the second digit. Personal energy equivalent exposure to vibration was measured for all subjects. Vibration was measured in accordance with International Standards Organisation (ISO) 5349 and assessed separately for the left and right hand. RESULTS: Combining exposure times and intensities gave the left hand an 0.80 exposure to vibration compared with the right. The risk of having contracted reduced thermal perception was increased at all test sites. The risk was higher for the thenar measurements than the finger measurements. A yearly extra contribution of 4000 mh/s(2) in cumulative exposure increases the risk of contracting a wider neutral zone by 18% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06 to 1.32) for the right and 18% (1.05 to 1.32) for the left hand side. Subjects with symptoms of nocturnal paraesthesia had a rate ratio (95% CI) of 2.80 (1.17 to 6.67) for the right hand and 2.72 (1.12 to 6.63) for the left hand for increased neutral zones at the thenar eminence. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate thermal sensory impairment related to cumulative exposure to vibration. The effect appeared at vibration levels below the current guiding standard. Quantitative sensory testing of thermal perception offers the chance to assess this specific hazard to the peripheral sensorineural system associated with hand intensive work entailing vibration.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Stress and visceral perception.

Functional bowel disorders are characterized by the presence of a visceral hyperalgesia in most patients. This visceral hyperalgesia is related to an enhanced perception of sensations originating from the gut. Stressful events can dramatically influence the course of functional bowel disorders, and patients suffering from these syndromes appear to be more susceptible to the stressful events of daily life. However, until now, few studies have evaluated the relationship between stress and visceral perception. Some studies of healthy volunteers indicated contradictory results, but the studies used different methodologies. During stress conditions, either physical or mental, thresholds of perception of rectal distension were increased, suggesting a 'distraction effect', or were decreased, supporting a sensitizing effect of stress. In most studies, rectal compliance was not affected, but stress has been shown to alter the rectal tone, as measured by a barostat. One study comparing irritable bowel syndrome patients with controls demonstrated the importance of cognitive processes in the modulation of visceral perception by stress. Animal studies have also demonstrated the sensitizing effect of stress on the perception of rectal distension. Mediators involved may be numerous, but corticotropin-releasing factor has been demonstrated to play a major role at the central level. Mast cells and histamine release may play a role at the peripheral level. Stress can thus be included in an integrative model explaining the pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders. Advances in the understanding of the relationship between stress and visceral perception may constitute a basis for a therapeutic approach of functional bowel disorders targeted on the central nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of alexithymic characteristics on the self-perception and facial expression of a physiological stress state.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the connection of alexithymic characteristics to many stress-related disorders, little is known about the effects of these characteristics on the self-perception of stress, which may have functional value in the regulation of daily behavior. The present study assessed the influence of alexithymic characteristics on the self-perception of stress in relation to the corresponding physiological/expressive responses during and while recovering from a phasic stressor. METHODS: A median split of the scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale was used to divide 32 healthy middle-aged men into two groups, a high alexithymia (HA) and a low alexithymia (LA) group. Both groups participated in a 3-min hand-grip task, followed by a 3-min recovery period. During these periods, subjects' heart rate (HR) and facial electromyographical (EMG) activity on the corrugator supercilii and frontalis lateralis areas were measured and perceptions of exertion, unpleasantness and tension were self-rated. The perceptual style was assessed with the discrepancy scores: standardized scores of the physiological measures were subtracted from the corresponding standardized scores of the perceptions. Thus, positive scores indicated that self-reported perceptions exceeded the corresponding physiological or expressive activity (overestimation) and negative scores indicated the opposite (underestimation). RESULTS: The HA group decreasingly underestimated exertion in relation to HR during the task and increasingly overestimated it during the recovery period. The HA group also overestimated unpleasantness in relation to the corrugator EMG response during the recovery period. CONCLUSIONS: High alexithymic characteristics seem to predispose to the delayed self-perception of physiological stress state so that the beginning of this state may remain subjectively unnoticed and the subjective recovery from it prolonged relative to the physical recovery. During this prolonged subjective recovery the feelings of unpleasantness are not facially expressed. The consequences of this style for health-related behavior are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗