Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Physiological Response in First Responders During Virtual Reality Exposure.

Area of Science:

• Psychophysiology
• Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Occupational Health

Background:

• First responders face high rates of trauma exposure, increasing their risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Physiological markers like heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance level (SCL) are being explored as potential indicators of PTSD.
• Understanding these markers in first responders is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare HRV and SCL between first responders with and without probable PTSD.
• To assess physiological responses during a virtual reality (VR) stressor task.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-four first responders completed PTSD questionnaires and underwent physiological assessments.
• Heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance level (SCL) were measured at baseline and during a VR task.

Main Results:

• Participants with probable PTSD demonstrated significantly lower baseline HRV, suggesting reduced parasympathetic nervous system activity.
• No significant group differences in HRV were found during the VR task.
• Skin conductance level (SCL) did not differ between groups at baseline or during the VR task.

Conclusions:

• Reduced resting HRV is a potential physiological correlate of probable PTSD in first responders.
• The absence of group differences in HRV during the VR task and SCL requires further research.
• Future studies should employ larger samples, longer monitoring periods, and clinical interviews to enhance understanding.