Influence of Acute Mental Stress on the Frequency and Duration of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Normal Volunteers

Six fasted healthy male volunteers (mean age 21.7 years) were studied. A pH probe was inserted with the tip 5cm proximal to the gastroesophageal junction and recording begun 15 mins after completion of a standard meal. pH was recorded by computerized data logger which sampled every 6s. Subjects were stressed intermittently by a dichotic Listening task in which they attempted to track recorded word Usts heard simultaneously in different ears. Mean frequency and duration of reflux episodes was determined from two 30-min stress and control periods. Alterations in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure confirmed the effectiveness of the stressor. Mean ( ± SEM) duration of reflux per 30-min stress period ( l . l ±0.53 mins) was not significantly different to mean duration per 30-min control period (l.5 ±0.53 mins). The mean numberof reflux episodes per 30-min stress period (2.3 ± 1.1) did not differ significantly from the mean number of episodes per 30-min control period (2.8± 1.1). T herefore, in normal volunteers acute predictable emotio nal stress does not influence the frequency or duration of postprandial gastroesophageal reflux.

Influence of Acute Mental Stress on the Frequency and Duration of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Normal Volunteers Journal Articles