Trier social stress test

Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a widely used psychological procedure designed to induce stress in a laboratory setting for the purpose of studying the effects of stress on various physiological, neuroendocrine, and psychological variables. Developed in the early 1990s by Clemens Kirschbaum and Dirk Hellhammer at the University of Trier in Germany, the TSST has become a standard method in stress research and has been validated in numerous studies across different populations.

Overview

The Trier Social Stress Test involves a combination of tasks designed to elicit a robust stress response in participants. The procedure typically lasts for about 15 minutes and consists of a preparation phase, followed by a speech task, and a mental arithmetic task, both performed in front of an audience and a committee who are trained to maintain a neutral and non-supportive demeanor throughout the test. The aim is to create a socially evaluative threat situation that activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to measurable changes in stress markers such as cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Procedure

The TSST begins with a brief introduction, during which participants are informed about the tasks they will perform. Following the introduction, participants are given a preparation period, typically lasting for 5 minutes, to organize their thoughts and prepare for the speech task. The speech task usually involves speaking on a given topic or a personal experience for 5 minutes, followed by a mental arithmetic task, such as serially subtracting a two-digit number from a larger number as quickly and accurately as possible for another 5 minutes. The presence of an evaluative audience is crucial to the stress-inducing effect of the TSST.

Physiological and Psychological Responses

The primary outcome measure of interest in TSST studies is the stress response, which is typically assessed through the measurement of cortisol levels in saliva. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and its levels can be reliably measured non-invasively through saliva samples. Other physiological measures that may be assessed include heart rate, blood pressure, and immune function markers. Psychological responses to the TSST can also be evaluated, including subjective stress levels, mood states, and cognitive performance.

Applications

The Trier Social Stress Test has been applied in a wide range of research contexts, including studies on stress and memory, the impact of stress on immune function, the role of personality in stress reactivity, and the effects of interventions aimed at reducing stress responses. It has also been used to explore the mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Limitations

While the TSST is a powerful tool for inducing stress in a controlled environment, it has some limitations. The artificial nature of the laboratory setting and the standardized procedure may not fully capture the complexity and variability of stress experiences in real life. Additionally, individual differences in stress reactivity and coping strategies can lead to variability in responses to the TSST.

See Also

• Stress (biology)
• Cortisol
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• Psychological stress