抄録
Thirty cases with neurocirculatory asthenia (NCA) were investigated from the viewpoint of psychosomatic medicine with the purpose of finding its pathological characteristics. The author attempted to classify them according to the types of pathological condition. In addition, 26 cases with anxienty neurosis (A-N) were examined as controls. In order to examine somatic functions, ECG of standing position (decreases more than 0.2mV in T or flat T in LEAD II were indicated as positive), respiratory abnormality examination(irregulaty in the frequency and amplitude of respiration)were conducted, while galvanic skin reflex (GSR)and digital plethysmogram weve performed as psychological parameters, and Recruit Personality Inventory (RPI) and Yatabe-Gilford test (YG) in order to learn psychological aspects.The NCA groups who received sonic stimulation were generally habituated to GSR within 10 times of the stimulation, while more than 11 times of the stimulation were needed for the A-N groups to be habituated. There was a significant difference between these two groups.Furthemore, the number of spontaneous response of GSR in 5 minutes was greater in the A-N group than in the NCA group, showing no statistical difference. No difference was found in the change of the dicrotic index (%) of digital plenthysmogram to sonic and verbal stimulation between the two groups.On the basis of teh results of this study, the author attempted to classify NCA into the following 5 groups.In Group I, irregularity of respiration, positive reaction to the standing test (ST) were recognized, and habituation (H) was formed under 10 times of stimulation.In Group II, irregularity of respiration, positive to ST, and H over 11 times.In Group III, either irregularity of respiraton or positive to ST, and H under 10 times.In Group IV, either irregularity of respiration or positive reaction to ST, and H over 11 times.In Group V, neither of irregularity of respiration nor positive reaction to ST, regardless of habituation.NCA patients were found in 25% of Group I (5 of 20), 25% of Group II (5 of 20), 35% of Group III(7 of 20), 5% of Group IV(1 of 20), 10% of Group V(2 of 20), totalling 85% in Groups I-III(17 of 20). A-N patients were found, 5.6% of Group I(1 of 18), 22.2% of Group II(4 of 18), 11.1% of Group III(2 of 18), 38.9% of Group IV(7 of 18)and 22.2% of Group V(4 of 18), totalling 61.1% in Groups IV and V(11 of 18).In order to emphasize the fact mentioned above, the correlation among Neurosis, Depression and Ego-weakness scales of RPI and each of the groups were tested in 20 cases with NCA.Significant correlation was seen between them. Groups I, II and III showed A, C and D types and Groups IV and V showed B or E types more frequently in YG test.According to this study, Group I was considered as the somatic type("pure NCA"), Groups II, III and IV the mixed-complicated type. Group II was the atypical somatic type, Group III the mixed type, Group IV the atypical neurotic type, and Group V neurotic type ("psychoneurosis").
