Reactions of the Central and Autonomic Nervous System as a Component of the Psychophysiological Response when Using Functional Tests

Summary. The aim of the study was to examine the dynamics of the body’s psychophysiological response to an aversive stimulus and the level of orienting reaction while waiting for it.

Materials and methods of the study. The pilot study involved 30 military personnel (all men), whose professional activity was special military training (respondents). The respondents were divided into two groups, the selection criterion was length of service in the troops. The study used the psychophysiological telemetry device “Reakor-T” (software “Encephalan-SA”). The spectral indices of heart rate variability (HRV) – the predominance of the sympathetic or parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and electroencephalography (EEG) – the functional activity of the central nervous system (CNS) were analyzed.

Results of the study and their analysis. In the waiting situation, the psychophysiological reactivity relative to the background values in the respondents of the two groups was not identical. In respondents with less military service experience, psychophysiological reactivity was more intense at the stimulus expectation stage than when an active stimulus was presented.

Conclusions:

1. Analysis of background values during psychophysiological examination of special contingents has low prognostic potential.
2. The use of functional tests during psychophysiological examination allows us to assess the level of reactivity to presented stimuli relative to background values, as well as the recovery potential upon completion of external stimulation.