[Borkovec, T. D. (1994). Worrying: perspectives on theory, assessment and treatment (pp. 5-34). West Sussex: Wiley] proposes that the cognitive activity of worry restricts autonomic nervous system activity, producing autonomic rigidity. Autonomic rigidity affects both sympathetic nervous system [Behav. Res. Ther. 28 (1990) 69.] and parasympathetic nervous system activity [Behav. Ther. 26 (1995) 457.]. Three experiments investigated the relationship between worry and autonomic system activity as indexed by heart activity measures. In the first experiment, we measured average heart rate when worriers were required to perform a public speaking task. No difference was found in heart rate between worriers and controls. The second and third experiments measured average heart rate and heart period variability (HPV) in worriers and controls during relaxation, non-stressful cognitive tasks, worried thinking, and aversive imagery conditions. There was no support for the autonomic rigidity view as worriers did not respond differently to non-worriers. These findings challenge the view that autonomic rigidity applies generally to worry. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Psychology
Research Group:	Biological psychology
Research Field:	Behavioural neuroscience
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in psychology
UTAS Author:	Davis, M (Dr Maryanne Davis)
UTAS Author:	Montgomery, IM (Dr Iain Montgomery)
UTAS Author:	Wilson, GV (Dr George Wilson)
ID Code:	24362
Year Published:	2002
Web of Science® Times Cited:	20
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2002-08-01
Last Modified:	2011-10-12
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