Electrodermal and Electro‐oculographic Activity in a Hypnagogic State
Psychophysiology November 1, 1982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1982.tb02521.x (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractChanges in spontaneous skin potential activity on the palm can predict the transition from wakefulness to sleep. In 20 male subjects, the negativity of palmar skin potential level began decreasing 3.5 minutes before stage 1 sleep onset and stopped declining 1.5 minutes before stage 1 onset. Similar anticipatory changes occurred in palmar skin potential responses and slow eye movements, suggesting shared central mechanisms. The dorsal hand showed no such changes. These findings indicate that skin potential activity may serve as a reliable physiological marker for identifying the tendency to fall asleep.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Male subjects |
| Duration | Transition period (hypnagogic state) from wake to sleep |
| Key finding | Palmar skin potential level began decreasing 3.5 minutes before stage 1 sleep onset and stopped declining 1.5 minutes before stage 1 onset, indicating it can predict the transition from wake to sleep. |
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe present study investigated whether or not changes in spontaneous skin potential activity (SPA) could be used to identify the tendency to fall asleep. Skin potential level (SPL) and skin potential response (SPR) on the palm and on the dorsal hand were studied in 20 male subjects during a transition period (hypnagogic state) from wake to sleep. The negativity of palmar SPL significantly decreased during this transition period. This decline in SPL started 3.5 min before stage 1 onset and terminated 1.5 min before stage 1 onset. Similar anticipatory changes were found in palmar SPR and slow eye movements, suggesting the existence of common central underlying mechanisms. The dorsal hand did not show changes.