SKIN-CONDUCTANCE RESPONSES TO AUDITORY-STIMULI AND ANTICIPATORY RESPONSES BEFORE VENIPUNCTURE IN PATIENTS PREMEDICATED WITH DIAZEPAM OR MORPHINE

We have measured the skin conductance response to innocuous auditory s timuli and the anticipatory response before venepuncture in 45 patient s receiving diazepam, morphine or no premedication before general anae sthesia. Subjective ratings of anxiety and sedation were measured usin g visual analogue scales. Skin conductance was less in subjects receiv ing diazepam than in the other groups, and the pattern of change of sk in conductance in this group indicated superior adaptation to the envi ronment during presentation of the innocuous stimuli compared with the other groups. After warning of venepuncture there was a large increas e in skin conductance in all groups. There was a significant relations hip between anxiety and skin conductance in unpremedicated patients an d those receiving diazepam.