Persons with personality type D are characterized by an “unhealthy lifestyle”, which is manifested by low physical activity, less healthy eating behavior, and failure to comply with doctors’ recommendations. Persons with personality type D have an inadequate response of hemodynamic parameters to psychoemotional stress; the response of other parameters has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of personality type D with various psychophysiological parameters of the body during mental stress in healthy individuals. Material and Methods: The study involved 79 students of Kemerovo State Medical University aged 18 to 32 years (mean age 20.7 ± 2.4 years). Psychophysiological diagnostics was carried out using the BOSLAB complex; electromyogram, electrocardiogram, body temperature, respiration, galvanic skin response, and photoplethysmogram data were recorded. The stress testing protocol included cognitive tasks and recovery phases. Additionally, the presence of personality type D in students was assessed using the DS-14 questionnaire. The results of stress tests were compared in groups with the presence/absence of type D. Results: The frequency of detection of type D was high (54.4%). When examining the response of psychophysiological parameters, the most pronounced response to stress tests with mental load was noted for heart rate variability and respiratory system parameters. Individuals with type D personality showed more pronounced sympathetic activation in response to mental stress and a slower recovery at rest. Among the studied parameters, association with personality type D was noted for the following indicators during the mental arithmetic test: heart rate (p = 0.022), the Baevsky strain index (p = 0.004), respiratory rate (p = 0.020), and an indicator of regulatory process adequacy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, we found differences in the reaction of psychophysiological parameters to mental stress in healthy individuals depending on the presence or absence of personality type D. These data can be useful for developing stress resistance programs and biofeedback training. The possibility of using the above psychophysiological parameters in biofeedback training programs for individuals with personality type D requires further research.

Highlights The study results revealed gender differences in reactions to psycho-emotional stress in young healthy people, showing that women had higher levels of muscle tension, while men had higher levels of skin conduction. This highlights the importance of taking gender differences into account when assessing stress reactivity and developing stress resilience programs. The data obtained can be used to create an optimal battery of physiological parameters for assessing the dynamics of stress tolerance and developing biofeedback programs for stress management. AbstractAim. To study gender-specific reactions to psycho-emotional stress in young healthy individuals, emphasizing the physiological parameters of the cardiovascular system.Methods. The study included 47 students of Kemerovo State Medical University aged 18 to 32 years. The participants were divided into male (n = 14) and female (n = 33) groups. Psychophysiological diagnostics was performed using the BOSLAB complex: an electromyogram, an electrocardiogram, body temperature, respiration, a galvanic skin reaction and a photoplethysmogram were obtained. The stress testing protocol included cognitive tasks and rest phases.Results. When exposed to stress tests, there was a statistically significant increase in heart rate (HR) and a shortening of the R-R intervals (p < 0.001), as well as an increase in the duration of the respiratory cycle (p = 0.029) and a decrease in the frequency of the respiratory mode (p < 0.001). Gender differences were manifested in higher levels of muscle tension in women (p < 0.001) and higher skin conduction in men (p = 0.033).Conclusion. In young healthy individuals, mental stress causes activation of the sympathoadrenal system, which manifests itself in changes in heart rate and respiratory parameters. Gender differences in stress responses are expressed in differences in muscle tension and skin conduction. This data can be useful for the development of stress tolerance and stress training programs.

Highlights A study was conducted that examined the relationship between personality type D, as well as other personality profile parameters, and psychophysiological reactivity when exposed to stress using a biofeedback complex for a number of physiological parameters that had not previously been monitored in similar studies. According to the results of the trial, representatives of personality type D have higher activation rates of the sympathetic-adrenal system of stress exposure compared to the rest of the population. When developing stress-limiting effects, these data should be taken into account. The possibility of using a set of psychophysiological parameters in biofeedback programs for individuals with personality type D requires further study.   Aim. To examine the influence of personality type D, depression level, preferred coping strategies on changes in psychophysiological parameters during mental stress tests. Methods. The study involved 79 students of Kemerovo State Medical University aged 18 to 32 years (mean age 20.7 ± 2.4 years). The patients’ psychological status was assessed (DS-14, HADS, WCQ and CSI questionnaires) with an assessment of personality type D, depression level and prevailing coping strategies. Psychophysiological diagnostics was performed using the BOSLAB complex, electromyogram, electrocardiogram, body temperature, respiration, galvanic skin response and photoplethysmogram were recorded. The stress testing protocol included a mental arithmetic test and a Stroop test. The results of the stress tests were compared in groups with/without type D and depression. Results. All subjects showed markers of sympathetic activation during stress testing to the following parameters: increased heart rate and shortening of R-R intervals (p < 0.001), increased skin conductivity (p < 0.001). There was a significantly greater increase in Indicator of the Adequacy of processes of Regulation (IAPR) when performing the mental arithmetic test (p = 0,026) and the Stroop test (p = 0,031) in individuals with personality type D. The presence of both type D and depression predisposed to the choice of maladaptive coping strategies. Conclusion. A high prevalence of personality type D and depression was revealed among the surveyed cohort. Representatives of personality type D have higher activation rates of the sympathetic-adrenal system of stress exposure compared to the rest of the population. This should be taken into account when developing stress-limiting effects. The possibility of using a set of psychophysiological parameters in biofeedback programs for individuals with personality type D requires further study.

Background . Among the psychological risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type D personality is studied. This type has a tendency to develop psychological distress and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with cardiovascular pathology. For the purposes of primary (including early) and secondary prevention of cardiovascular pathology, study of stress reactivity in individuals with type D personality is required for various physiological parameters, because the studies conducted to date have mainly concerned the stress reactivity of hemodynamics. The aim . To study the influence of type D personality on various psychophysiological indicators of the body during psychoemotional stress. Materials and methods . The study included 115 individuals among students of the Kemerovo State Medical University and employees of the Research Institute of Complex Problems of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (41 men and 74 women, aged from 18 to 64 years, median age – 22 years). According to the results of the DS-14 questionnaire, the individuals were divided into two groups: with type D personality (n = 59) and without it (n = 56). A study of stress reactivity was conducted for various physiological parameters using the BOSLAB professional plus biofeedback complex. Results . A high percentage of individuals with type D personality (59 individuals, 51.3 %) was found in the cohort of subjects. During stress tests, individuals with type D personality had less pronounced dynamics of respiratory cardiac arrhythmia and pulse wave propagation time than individuals without type D (p = 0.020 and p = 0.032, respectively). More significant dynamics in type D personality were noted for the frequency of the respiratory mode (p < 0.001), the duration of the respiratory cycle (p < 0.001) and the data of integrated electromyography from the frontal muscles (p = 0.030). Conclusions . The possibility of using the above-mentioned psychophysiological parameters in biofeedback programs for individuals with type D personality requires further study.

Aim – to investigate the impact of increased arterial stiffness, assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), on the results of psychoemotional stress tests in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Material and methods : a single-center prospective study included 109 patients with stable CAD (mean age 66.1 ± 9.1 years) prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Arterial stiffness was assessed using volume sphygmography (Vasera VS-1000 device); a CAVI ≥ 9.0 was considered indicative of pathological stiffness. Psychophysiological testing was performed using the «BO- SLAB Professional Plus» system: a five-stage cycle alternating rest periods (1 min) and cognitive load (3 min – serial mental arithmetic test and Stroop test). The following parameters were recorded: electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmography, electromyography (EMG), and galvanic skin response (GSR). We analyzed the Baevsky stress index (SI) of regulatory systems, R-R intervals, EMG, and GSR. Results . Patients with CAVI ≥ 9.0 ( n = 60) were older (median age 71.0 years vs. 63.0 years in the CAVI < 9.0 group; p < 0,001) and more likely to have diabetes mellitus (46.7 % vs. 20.4 %; p = 0,004), multifocal atherosclerosis (51.7 % vs. 28.6 %; p = 0,014), and brachiocephalic artery disease (stenosis ≥ 30 %: 51.7 % vs. 28.6 %; p = 0,015). During stress testing, the dynamics of R-R intervals and Baevsky SI were comparable between groups ( p > 0,05). Patients with CAVI ≥ 9.0 showed rigidity of muscle tension (as assessed by EMG, p = 0,072), while the CAVI < 9.0 group demonstrated high EMG lability ( p < 0,001). The GSR level in the high-stiffness group was consistently lower ( p < 0,05), indicating a reduced functional reserve of autonomic regulation. Conclusions . In patients with stable CAD, increased arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥ 9.0) is associated with altered reactivity to psychoemotional stress, manifested as rigidity of neuromuscular response (per EMG) and reduced functional reserve of autonomic regulation (per GSR). Sympathetic activation (assessed by R-R intervals and Baevsky SI) remains at a comparable level regardless of vascular stiffness.

Background: The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyze the relationships within a multimodal biomarker panel, including endothelial function indicators, markers of systemic inflammation and myocardial stress, metabolic homeostasis parameters, and an indicator of microstructural damage to nerve tissue in CAD patients with or without type D personality. Methods: This exploratory, cross-sectional, observational study included 72 patients with coronary artery disease. All patients underwent psychological testing (evaluation of type D personality and determination of depression and anxiety levels) and biomarker measurements. The multimodal biomarker panel included measurements of metabolic homeostasis parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, creatinine, insulin, 1,5-anhydroglucitol), markers of systemic inflammation (CRP, IL-6), myocardial stress (NTproBNP), endothelial function parameters (eNOS, EDN1, ADMA, VEGF), and an indicator of microstructural damage to nerve tissue (S100B protein). Results: Biomarker levels revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups with and without personality type D. In personality type D, a direct correlation was found between the level of the brain tissue damage marker S100B and eNOS concentration (R = 0.578; p = 0.006), which was not observed in non-type D. In patients with personality type D, a significant inverse correlation was confirmed between ADMA and creatinine levels (R = −0.524; p = 0.015). In individuals with non-type D personality, a direct correlation was established between total cholesterol levels and VEGF (R = 0.342; p = 0.014). Conclusions: In patients with coronary heart disease, psychological distress (type D) is associated not with an isolated change in biomarker concentrations but with a transformation of the entire structure of their relationships. Personality type D is characterized by a transition from the physiological autonomy of systems to the formation of pathogenetic relationships between them, indicating a decrease in adaptive reserve.