A PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING THE RESPONSE SPECIFICITY OF THE ORAL VASCULAR BED

In this paper, we describe a new method for measuring the oral plethys mogram, and we assess its sensitivity and specificity under differing psychological stimulation. Finger and palate pulse amplitudes and bloo d pressure were monitored while individuals (N = 13) performed several tasks: mental arithmetic, nausea imagery, fear imagery, and anger ima gery. Pulse pressure, having a major effect on pulse amplitude, was pa rtialed out in analyses. Palate pulse amplitude increased significantl y in response to the degree to which the individual felt irritated, ju dged, nauseated, or angry. In contrast, finger pulse amplitude changed significantly only in the arithmetic task and, unlike the palate, sho wed a decreased amplitude with increased irritation and being judged. Results indicate that the oral plethysmogram can serve as a reliable m easure of oral mucosal vasomotor reactivity and that it has a differen t pattern of response specificity than does the finger.