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An introductory guide to conducting the Trier Social Stress Test
Labuschagne, Izelle Grace, Caitlin Rendell, Peter Terrett, Gillian Heinrichs, Markus
Labuschagne, Izelle
Grace, Caitlin
Rendell, Peter
Terrett, Gillian
Heinrichs, Markus
Abstract
The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a reliable biopsychological tool to examine the effects of acute stress on psychological and physiological functioning in humans. While the TSST reliably increases hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, amongst other biomarkers, through a combination of social evaluative threat and uncontrollability, the original protocol is limited in methodological detail that has impacted its reproducibility. Although many studies include a mock job interview and surprise arithmetic task, there are large variations in the timing of events, the number and method of biological (e.g., cortisol) sampling, the administration of a glucose drink, set-up of equipment and rooms, panel composition, and panel interaction with participants. We provide an overview of the potential impact of methodological variations on the stress (cortisol) response. Importantly, we also provide a step-by-step guide as a laboratory manual on how to conduct the TSST. This introductory guide may be a useful and time-saving resource that may also improve the scientific standard and reliability of the reported psychobiological stress effects in future studies.
Keywords
cortisol, HPA axis, humans, public speaking, mental arithmetic, TSST
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Book
Volume
107
Issue
Page Range
686-695
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled