To explore the effects of psychological stress on glycemic metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM). Methods: 37 subjects with NIDDM were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Psychological stress was induced in the experimental group by way of showing a video concerning adverse symptoms of severe diabetes. Measures of plasma glucose, plasma insulin, blood pressure, pulse rate and state anxiety were assessed at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min during oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT). Results: The overall levels of state anxiety were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Significantly higher levels of change in pulse rate and blood pressure from their baselines were found in the experimental group (p<0.001). Despite similar baseline plasma glucose levels, subjects in the experimental group showed higher levels of plasma glucose at 30 and 60 min (p<0.05) when compared to controls. Conclusion: Psychological stress produced significant effects on glycemic metabolism in NIDDM.
