Relationship between physiologic and psychological measures of autonomic activation in operating room teams during a simulated airway emergency

Emotional stability is important for individual and team performance during operating room (OR) emergencies. We compared physiologic and psychological anxiety assessments in OR teams during simulated events.

Twenty-two teams participated in a "cannot intubate/cannot ventilate" simulation. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and wore a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor. Differences in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores and GSR levels were analyzed. Anxiety scores were correlated with GSR levels.

Resident physicians had significantly higher trait anxiety than the nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and surgical technicians (43.9 ± 9.9 vs 38.3 ± 9.3, P < .01). Senior practitioners had significantly higher trait anxiety than junior practitioners (43.7 ± 9.6 vs 40.0 ± 9.9, P = .03). All groups showed significant increases in GSR. Psychological and physiologic data did not correlate.

Senior practitioners and residents have higher levels of baseline trait anxiety for unclear reasons. Also, OR team training results in physiological signs of anxiety that do not correlate to self-reported psychological measurements.