The autonomic nervous system response inventory (ANSRI): Discrimination among migraine headache sufferers, muscle contraction headache sufferers, and normal controls

Twenty-three migraine headache sufferers, sixteen muscle contraction headache sufferers, and thirteen no headache control subjects were selected to test the discriminant validity of the ANSRI. Significant Chi-Squares indicated reliable differences among the groups in ANSRI F scale scores under the Anger condition and in P scale scores based on the means of items across four emotions (All E). Discriminant analyses yielded 69% correct classifications for All E P scales and 58% correct classifications for Anger F scales. All E P scale analyses revealed that the Muscle Tension scale separated the headache groups from the control group. A second function separated the three groups from each other, with the Cardiac, Respiration, and Gastrointestinal scales most responsible. Anger F scale analysis showed the Peripheral Vasoconstriction, Cardiac, and Pattern 2 scales separating the headache groups from each other and from the control group. Results demonstrated discriminant validity for the ANSRI, and were consistent with muscle tension and vasoconstriction as variables in muscle contraction and migraine headache, respectively.