A Further Note on the Measurement of Autonomic Balance

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Abstract
Two previous articles by the author described a method for estimating the functional status of the autonomic nervous system in children. A total of 81 cases was involved in this 3d analysis, including the same children studied in the 2 previous reports. The age range was from 6-13 yrs. Factor F1 is quite similar to the other autonomic factors and furnishes additional evidence that there is a true patterning of physiological phenomena. It differs from its predecessors chiefly in demonstrating a lower correlation with salivary output and a higher correlation with respiration period. Factor F2 seems to be dominated by systolic and pulse pressure and furnishes additional evidence that blood pressure and dermographia pattern are interrelated. Factor F3 is probably of more significance. It describes for the first time a relationship between a varied group of tests which present a logical pattern. In an individual scoring high on this factor there are involved a high basal metabolic rate and a skin of high conductance to both direct and alternating current. Furthermore, the % of lymphocytes is low; the difference in skin temp. between the palm and forehead is great, indicative of cold palms since forehead temp. is very constant from individual to individual; and salivary output is meager. F3 seems to be representative of a metabolic factor which may or may not be related to a tendency toward emotional reaction. A regression equation derived from the factor pattern and utilized for obtaining factor estimates termed scores of "autonomic balance" was found to give similar results to those obtained by the 2 previously described equations. All 3 equations result in scores which are fairly stable from yr. to yr. in the same children. A new regression equation was derived by using the rounded means of the weights from the 3 original equations. This new equation termed the "Normative Regression Equation for the Estimation of Autonomic Balance" was shown to be sufficiently similar to each of the original equations to justify its substitution for any one of them, and was found to be of equal or greater reliability than the avg. reliability of the original equations. Its use is recommended in future work.

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