Visual Sensitivity as a Function of Phase of Cardiac Cycle

Abstract

ABSTRACT After preliminary threshold determination, each of 25 S s was given 120 trials (24 blank, 96 signal) in a visual signal detection task, with signal presentation being recorded with S 's EKG. There was no relationship between hit rate and phase of cardiac cycle whether assessed over four measured phases, or as the difference in hit rate for signals presented either in the P‐wave or the QRS complex. Implications for theory are discussed.