Relative changes in salivary Na+ and K+ concentrations relating to stress induction

Hinton, J.W., Burton, R.F., Farmer, J.G., Rotheiler, E., Shewan, D., Gemmell, M., Berry, J. and Gibson, R. (1992) Relative changes in salivary Na+ and K+ concentrations relating to stress induction. Biological Psychology, 33(1), pp. 63-71. (doi: 10.1016/0301-0511(92)90006-G) (PMID:1600000)

Abstract

Three independent studies are reported in which periods of “relaxation” (A) and presumed Stressors (B) were given to female students in an ABA design. The “Stressors” were: (1) obligatory time-wasting activity; (2) a mental “IQ” test; and (3) delivering a speech. Saliva was collected immediately after “relaxation” and “stress” periods. “Stress” and “arousal” state were retrospectively assessed in experiments (1) and (2) by subject self-rating and in experiment 1 also by trained observers for the periods A and B. The molar [K+/Na+] ratio was determined for each saliva sample. The prediction that [K+/Na+] would increase with stress induction was supported by statistically significant results with Stressors l and 2 (p < 0.01), but speech delivery (3) resulted in a significant rise of [K+/Na+] after the Stressor period. Correlations between [K+/Na+] and “stress” and “arousal” ratings also substantiated the prediction.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Burton, Dr Richard
• Authors: Hinton, J.W., Burton, R.F., Farmer, J.G., Rotheiler, E., Shewan, D., Gemmell, M., Berry, J., and Gibson, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Biological Psychology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0301-0511
• ISSN (Online): 1873-6246