Psychophysiological Characteristics of Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Measured by Biofeedback System

Abstract

Objectives: Previously published studies have shown that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis axis dysfunction and autonomic arousal are associated with alcohol use disorder. The purpose of this study was to measure the psychophysiological responses in patients with alcohol use disorder using a biofeedback system and compare them with those of healthy subjects. Methods: Fifty-two patients with alcohol use disorder and 149 healthy controls participated in this study. Heart rate (HR), electromyography (EMG), skin conductance (SC), skin temperature, and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded using a biofeedback system during five phases of a stress reactivity test, and average values were calculated. The difference in values between the two groups in each corresponding phase was analyzed with the independent t-test, and the change in values across phases of the stress reactivity test was analyzed with the paired t-test. Results: Compared to the healthy controls, patients with alcohol use disorder had a higher HR and RR in three phases. Change in EMG and SC was higher in patients with alcohol use disorder than the healthy controls from baseline to the stress phase 1. Conclusion: The psychophysiological profiles of patients with alcohol use disorder in a stress reactivity test were different from those of healthy controls. These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system is more highly activated in patients with alcohol use disorder.