CEREBRAL LATERALITY, EMOTION, AND CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTIONS: AN INVESTIGATION OF LEFT AND RIGHT CVA PATIENTS

Background: It has been evidenced that the outcome of a CVA patient differs as a function of the cerebral hemisphere that is damaged by the stroke, especially in terms of emotional changes. In contrast, the Bi-Hemispheric Model of Emotion posits that each hemisphere has its own emotional specialization. The current experiment tested the competing predictions of the two theoretical perspectives in a mixed sample of left cerebrovascular accident (LCVA) patients and right cerebrovascular accident (RCVA) patients using a Dichotic Listening task and the Affective Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AAVLT). Heart Rate (HR) and Pulse Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) were recorded as sympathetic measures. It was expected that the predictions of the Bi-Hemispheric Model would be supported. A series of mixed design ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Material/Methods: Participants consisted of 21 patients grouped into either post-acute status left cerebrovascular accident (LCVA) or right cerebrovascular accident (RCVA). Tests included the The Dichotic Listening test, The Affective Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AAVLT), HR and Sp02 measurement using a Fingertip Pulse Oximeter and the Mood Assessment Scale for depression. Results: Results revealed that both groups exhibited decreased auditory detection abilities in the ear contralateral to CVA location. Additionally, CVA patients recalled significantly more positive words than negative or neutral words and exhibited a significant learning curve. LCVA patients exhibited a recency effect, while RCVA patients exhibited a heightened primacy effect. Findings from the HR and Sp02 measures suggested a parasympathetic response to emotionally neutral information as well as an impaired sympathetic response to emotionally negative information in RCVA patients. Conclusions: The results lend partial support to the hypothesis drawn from the Bi-Hemispheric Model of Emotion, as evidenced by the diametrically opposite effects in these groups, which reflects opposing cerebral processes.