The healthy control subject in psychiatric research: impulsiveness and volunteer bias

Author(s): Asberg, M., Schalling, D.

Journal/Book: Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997; 96: 35 Norre Sogade, PO Box 2148, DK-1016 Copenhagen, Denmark. Munksgaard Int Publ Ltd. 325-328.

Abstract: Exciting and demanding biomedical experiments may attract a specific subgroup of people as volunteers. In the present study of selection bias, subjects volunteering in a psychobiological study that included a potentially painful procedure (lumbar puncture) were compared with those who declined to participate, with regard to scores on personality scales administered during a previous investigation of the same subjects. Significant differences were Sound on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Karolinska Scales of Personality Impulsiveness scale, suggesting an over-representation of impulsive individuals among the volunteers. If the specific subject of investigation has implications for the type of individual who will participate as a healthy volunteer in biomedical research, variation will be introduced, affecting the independent variable, and the conclusions that can be drawn from such research may be questionable.

Note: Article Gustavsson JP, Karolinska Hosp, Dept Clin Neurosci, Psychiat Sect, S-17176 Stockholm, SWEDEN

Keyword(s): selection bias; psychobiology; serotonin; personality traits; impulsiveness; CSF MONOAMINE METABOLITES; CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID; PERSONALITY; DIMENSIONS; MORBIDITY

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