Methods of Hardware and Instrumental Detection and Diagnosis of Stress-Associated and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

The purpose of the study: to develop and test the methodology for studying people with PTSD, simultaneously fixing objective indicators (heart rate, blood pressure, eye movement) - biomarkers, and a specific test audio stimulus, research of the certain functions of the organ of vision with a minimal subjective component. Materials and methods. A number of practical experimental studies were carried out and the composition of tools and techniques for hardware-instrumental detection and diagnosis of stress-associated and post-traumatic stress disorders was worked out. The subjects were divided into control and main (studied) groups. According to psychological testing, all subjects of the main group showed reliable signs of PTSD, which was not detected in the control group (healthy people). The goals and purpose of the research were explained to them, received a preliminary consent to participate in the study, appointed a place and time of the meeting. The protocol of the study was agreed and approved by the local control commission and corresponded to the Helsinki Declaration. Results. The examination and study of the main and control groups was carried out according to the same scheme and methodology. The technique of hardware-instrumental detection and diagnosis of stress-associated and post-traumatic stress disorders and the examination technique are described in detail. Specialists: Eye-Tracker operator, polygraph examiner, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist, IT specialist, statistician. Requirements for the room in which the research is conducted: the sign is hung on the door: "Do not enter, the session lasts". Particular room: quiet, small, comfortable for the ophthalmologist. Necessary furniture for people who conduct and participate in the study: table for Eye-Tracker, polygraph desk, table for a psychiatrist, 3 chairs, comfortable armchair with high, comfortable armrests for the test person. Necessary equipment and property: Eye-Tracker, polygraph, computer monitor, visual stimulus, Bernell's line, Stereo Fly test, Lang Stereotest, head restraint, writing pencils, forms of psychological tests in two languages (Ukrainian, Russian), forms for informed consent to participate In this study, an extension cord, 2 table lamps. Placement of people in the room: the test person sits in the chair, opposite it is a table with a personal computer monitor (for the test person) at a distance of 50 cm from the eyes of the subject under study, on the stand is an Eye-Tracker device. To the right of the researcher at the table is a specialist working on the device "Eye-Tracker" with a laptop, through which manages the operation of the device "Eye-Tracker". To the left of the researcher at the table sits a polygraph examiner with a laptop and a polygraph, conducts measurements on a polygraph. To the right of the polygraph examiner and to the left diagonal from the patient at the table, a psychiatrist who gives instructions is seated at the table and reads a verbal stimulating material. Conclusion. The method of examination of patients with PTSD with the simultaneous fixation of objective parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, eye movement) - biomarkers, and a specific test audio stimulus, a study of some functions of the visual organ with a minimal subjective component - the diameter of the pupils, the degree of accommodation and convergence , presence / change of stereoscopic vision. The data obtained require further comparison with the results obtained on the Eye-Tracker and the Lie Detector devices, with data obtained from additional ophthalmologist examinations by group, with further statistical and mathematical analysis, modeling, and mapping.