title: Respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity to a sad film predicts depression symptom improvement and symptomatic trajectory.
abstract: Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reactivity, an index of cardiac vagal tone, has been linked to self-regulation and the severity and course of depression (Rottenberg, 2007). Although initial data supports the proposition that RSA withdrawal during a sad film is a specific predictor of depression course (Fraguas, 2007; Rottenberg, 2005), the robustness and specificity of this finding are unclear. To provide a stronger test, RSA reactivity to three emotion films (happy, sad, fear) and to a more robust stressor, a speech task, were examined in currently depressed individuals (n=37), who were assessed for their degree of symptomatic improvement over 30weeks. Robust RSA reactivity to the sad film uniquely predicted overall symptom improvement over 30weeks. RSA reactivity to both sad and stressful stimuli predicted the speed and maintenance of symptomatic improvement. The current analyses provide the most robust support to date that RSA withdrawal to sad stimuli (but not stressful) has specificity in predicting the overall symptomatic improvement. In contrast, RSA reactivity to negative stimuli (both sad and stressful) predicted the trajectory of depression course. Patients' engagement with sad stimuli may be an important sign to attend to in therapeutic settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Panaite
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra Cowden
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hindash
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bylsma
authors.affiliation: School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Brent J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: rottenberg@usf.edu.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rottenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009040:Motion Pictures / Q000639:trends*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D065809:Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression trajectory; Major depressive disorder; RSA reactivity; Sadness specificity