title: Effects of a single cognitive task on power spectra of R-R interval and arterial blood pressure.
abstract: The present study was designed to examine the effects of a single cognitively demanding task on the R-R interval and systolic blood pressure (BP) power spectra. Ten healthy volunteers were asked to perform an English transcription task for 90 minutes using a word processor, and to read books as a non-task control. The influences of both posture and respiration were controlled in assessing the task effects. Performance of the single cognitive task significantly increased the normalized low-frequency component (% LF) of the BP spectrum following the task, as compared to the non-task control in the sitting position. However, the supine position did not produce the post-task increase in % LF of the BP spectrum. The spectral components of the R-R interval spectrum remained unchanged after the task. These results suggest that the post-task increase in sympathetic activity may be reflected by the BP spectrum under sympathetic predominance in the sitting position.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Industrial Health, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*