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Reliable responses to a cardiovascular reactivity protocol: a replication study in a biracial female sample
T W Kamarck1, J R Jennings, C J Stewart
1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Psychophysiology
|November 1, 1993
Summary
This study found that cardiovascular responses to a cognitive task are reliable in women, similar to findings in men. This supports the use of this method for assessing cardiovascular reactivity across diverse groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Individual differences in cardiovascular responsivity are important for understanding stress responses.
- Previous research has established the reliability of cardiovascular reactivity in male samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reliability of individual differences in cardiovascular responsivity to a cognitive task in a female community sample.
- To determine if a standardized cognitive task protocol yields reliable cardiovascular measures in women.
Main Methods:
- Replication study with 30 women (Black and White, ages 25-44).
- Administered a standardized PC-based cognitive task protocol twice with a 1-month interval.
- Measured heart rate, blood pressure, pre-ejection period, stroke volume, and total peripheral resistance using impedance cardiography.
Main Results:
- Individual differences in heart rate and blood pressure reactivity were highly reliable (r > .80).
- Reliability for cardiac contractility (pre-ejection period) and stroke volume changes exceeded .70.
- Results were consistent across three tasks and two testing sessions.
Conclusions:
- The standardized cognitive task protocol demonstrates high reliability for assessing cardiovascular reactivity in women.
- This reactivity assessment procedure is exportable across diverse samples and settings.
- Findings support the use of this protocol for reliable cardiovascular stress response measurement in females.