[Fourier analysis of pupil oscillations for measuring central activation in psychosomatic patients]. / Fourieranalyse der Pupillenoszillationen zur Messung der zentralen Aktiviertheit bei psychosomatischen Patienten.

The aim of the study was to answer the question if there are any differences in the central activation of different groups of psychosomatic patients and patients with eating disorders, which was measured by means of Fourier analysis of pupillary oscillations. A total of 132 patients (110 f, 22 m) with a mean age of 29.69 years (standard deviation: 9.9) participated in the study. In anorectic and bulimic patients high central activation was observed. Different groups of psychosomatic patients showed significant differences in their central nervous activation. In the group of subjects with the ICD-10 diagnosis F 41.3 (mixed anxiety disorders) the highest amplitudes was observed not only in the particular frequency bands but also in the total spectrum (power), which reflects high central activation. Reduced activation was found in subjects with somatoform autonomic function disorder of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract (F 45.3). The measurement of central activation in psychosomatic disorders could have consequences for therapeutic interventions.

[Assessment of experimentally-induced pain effects and their elimination by hypnosis using pupillometry studies]. / Erfassung von experimentell induzierter Schmerzwirkung und ihre Ausschaltung durch Hypnose mit Hilfe pupillometrischer Untersuchungen.

Hypnotherapeutical technique were often used for control of pain. However, an objective examination of this phenomenon was seldom carried out. The aim of the study was the psychophysiological objectivation of the effect of experimental induced pain and the elimination of pain by means of hypnosis. 22 healthy volunteers (11 female and 11 male) aged between 22 and 35 years participated in the study. In the 1st phase of the experiment static pupillometry was carried out before randomized presentation of a light stimulus (143 lux, 0.3 sec) and of a pain stimulus (coldness-spray, -50 degrees C, 0.5 sec) respectively. Afterwards the dynamic pupillary measurement was done. Additionally the Fourier analyses of pupillary oscillations reflecting central nervous activation during the static measurement (25,6 sec) was calculated. In the 2nd phase the subjects were investigated by means of the same techniques during hypnosis with specific suggestions for elimination of pain. Under light condition as well as after induction of pain an autonomic deactivation could be observed during hypnosis. Furthermore under pain condition a central deactivation could also be found, reflecting the depth of the hypnosis and the reduced perception of pain.

Static and dynamic pupillometry for determination of the course of gradual detoxification of opiate-addicted patients.

In order to assess the course of methadone (Heptadone) substitution therapy, 29 inpatients at the Vienna Psychiatric University Clinic (21 males, mean age = 27 years, SD 4 years; 8 females, mean age 29.75 years, SD 5.28 years) who were addicted to opium tea or to a mixture of opium and heroin were investigated by means of computer-assisted "static"- and "light-evoked dynamic" pupillometry. Pupillary measurements were carried out before the start of withdrawal, on the 2nd day 48 h after the administration of 10 mg methadone, and again after the maximum and half of the maximum dose of methadone had been administered. The constricted pupils (the effect of opiate) showed dilatation after the withdrawal syndrome appeared, but immediately after the start of the detoxification treatment, as well as 1 day after administration of the maximum methadone dose a decrease of pupillary diameter was observed. The narrowing of the pupil was followed by an increase in pupillary diameter, which peaked 48 h after the last minimal dose of methadone and nearly reached the normal level. The widening of the pupil reflects an increase of noradrenergic activity under conditions of opiate withdrawal. An increase of spontaneous fluctuations was observed during withdrawal and was only inhibited by the maximum dose of methadone. Finally, pupillary dynamics (shortening of latency time and increase of relative changes) improved during therapy. The pupillary measurement corresponded with clinical observations as well as with self-evaluation during treatment. Thus pupillometry seems to be a useful instrument for assessment of treatment of opiate-addicted patients.