Is Combat Exposure Predictive of Higher Preoperative Stress in Military Members

This study would provide new data specifically investigating the preoperative stress response in U.S. military personnel with a history of combat experience, as well as help to confirm a presumed preoperative stress response described by perianesthesia professionals.

Specific Aims and Study Hypotheses

Aim 1: Determine the predictive relationships between combat experiences and the preoperative psychological stress response in U.S. military personnel with a deployment to OEF/OIF.    

Hypothesis 1: In U.S. military personnel, a greater number of combat experiences will be predictive of more negative emotions at baseline, upon arrival to preoperative holding, and just prior to transfer to the operating room as measured by the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised.

Hypothesis 2: In U.S. military personnel, a greater number of combat experiences will be predictive of higher degrees of stress at baseline, upon arrival to preoperative holding, and just prior to transfer to the operating room as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale for stress.

Aim 2: Determine the predictive relationships between combat experiences and the preoperative physiological stress response in U.S. military personnel with a deployment to OEF/OIF.

Hypothesis 1: In U.S. military personnel, a greater number of combat experiences will be predictive of higher salivary alpha-amylase values measured at baseline, upon arrival to preoperative holding, and just prior to transfer to the operating room.

Final report is available on NTRL: https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB2017102...