Temporal inequality of RR intervals like a new psychophysiological indicator of mental stress

Abstract

Introduction: Gini coefficient (Gini index or Gini ratio) is a parameter that is normally used in economy to measure the income distribution in a country or in the whole wide world, but it can be used to measure any kind of distribution.

In the present study it is exposed an innovative proposal of application of the Gini coefficient to Heart Rate Variability (HRV) like a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress.

Purpose: To assess the application of the Gini coefficient as a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress.

Methods: The involved participants are 13 healthy individuals (age 19 ± 1.5 years). Heart rate was continuously recorded at rest (5 minutes) and during a mental stress (5 minutes). Linear and nonlinear methods of heart rate variability were assessed, and 2 new indicators (Sequential and Non-Sequential Gini) were calculated and proposed to measure HRV differences between states.

Results: When comparing rest and mental stress conditions, a sensible decrease of the traditional indicators of the HRV was founded (p<0.05), an increase of the heart rate (p=0.004) and of the Sequential Gini (p=0.004) and Non-Sequential Gini (p=0.04).

Conclusions: The results suggest that temporary inequality of the RR intervals analyzed from the Gini coefficient could be an adequate indicator of sympathetic activity present during the mental stress, with great potentialities with the objective to assess the consequences of psychosomatic affections and anxiety disorders.