Effects of Inhalation of 30% Oxygen on Autonomic Responses Elicited by Watching Oscillating Scenes

Abstract

Autonomic responses, which occur before sensation of nausea, can be elicited by watching oscillating scenes. This study was aimed to investigate whether inhalation of high concentration oxygen would influence these autonomic responses, which were elicited by watching a video containing oscillating scenes. Electrogastrogram (EGG), galvanic skin response (GSR), heart rate, SpO₂ and respiratory rate were continuously recorded in 24 participants (20.9 ± 2.7 years), and they were asked to watch the video after a rest period. Half of the participants inhaled normal air (control group), and the remaining inhaled 30% oxygen (O₂ group). No participants complained of nausea after watching the video. The integrated EGG just after watching the video was significantly larger than that before exposing the video in control group, however, such significant changes of the integrated EGG was not recognized in O₂ group. The relative value of GSR (watching the video vs. a rest period) of O₂ group during watching the video was significantly lower than that of control group. Heart rate, SpO₂ and respiratory rate did not significantly change throughout the experiment. From these findings, it was concluded that increase of gastric motility and perspiration elicited by watching oscillating scenes might be suppressed by 30% oxygen inhalation.