The Measurement of Autonomic Balance in Children: Method and Normative Data

Abstract

Several analyses have been made of the data for children 6 yrs. of age and older, which deal with a factor or pattern of physiological responses which are innervated by the autonomic nervous system. This autonomic factor can be measured indirectly in terms of a battery of weighted tests, and that such derived estimates, termed measures of "autonomic balance." The tests are persistance of red dermographia, salivary output, palmar and volar skin conductance, heart and respiration period, and pulse pressure. Tables are presented for the conversion of raw data from these tests into standard score form, and the method of utilizing these standard scores in obtaining estimates of autonomic balance is illustrated.