Finally, the pattern of stress profiling is examined for the level of recovery. Here, one would expect the recov- ery pattern to return to the prebaseline levels. When the
the pH balance of the tissue (and accumulation of lactic acid), delayed recovery to prestress levels increases the probability of this metabolic imbalance.
How long should it normally take to recover from a stressor? Arena and Hobbs22suggest that 6 minutes is ad- equate for the facial muscle reactivity but inadequate for hand temperature. The 10-minute time frame sug-
gested in Exhibit 7–1 is usually more than adequate for both the central nervous system and autonomic nerv- ous system components. To define the recovery process better, one might measure the length of time it takes for the muscle activity to return to within 5% of its pre- baseline levels following the cessation of the stressful event.
Table 7–2 Surface Electromyography Data Obtained from Two Muscle Sites During a Stress Profiling Procedure in Which There Is a Differential Reaction to Stress and Recovery
Muscle A Muscle B
Condition Mean SD Number of SDs Range Mean SD Number of SDs Range
Prebaseline 2.3 1.7 1 0.6–3.0 2.5 1.5 1 1.0–4.0
2 0.0–5.7 2 0.0–5.5
Stressor* 4.1 2.5 1 1.6–6.6 12.3 5.2 1 7.1–17.5
2 0.0–9.1 2 2.1–13.4
Recovery* 2.5 1.8 1 0.7–4.3 7.3 2.3 1 5.0–9.6
2 0.0–6.1 2 2.7–11.9
SD = standard deviation.
*Indicates difference between muscle A and muscle B or between the various conditions within a given muscle.
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CHAPTER QUESTIONS
1. When a patient responds to a variety of stressful events in the same physiological way (e.g., always increasing muscle tension in the forehead), this is called:
a. response stereotypy b. stimulus response specificity c. stress profiling
d. stress profile response specificity
2. The law of initial values states that when the prestimulus level of physiological activity is near the ceiling level for that system, the magnitude of the stress response will be:
a. larger than normal
b. limited because of the lack of room to respond c. smaller than normal
d. enhanced as a result of the ceiling effect 3. Negative emotions are found primarily on the:
a. upper face b. neck c. back d. legs
4. Stress responses can find their way into:
a. the face
b. the muscle spindle c. an injured area d. all of the above
5. The term serial sevensrefers to:
a. adding by sevens b. multiplying by sevens
c. subtracting from 1000 by sevens d. none of the above
6. In stress profiling, one would interpret:
a. initial baseline data b. level of reactivity c. recovery data d. all of the above
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