The Trier Social Stress Test: Principles and practice

Abstract

Researchers interested in the neurobiology of the acute stress response in humans require a valid and reliable acute stressor that can be used under experimental conditions. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) provides such a testing platform. It induces stress by requiring participants to make an interview-style presentation, followed by a surprise mental arithmetic test, in front of an interview panel who do not provide feedback or encouragement. In this review, we outline the methodology of the TSST, and discuss key findings under conditions of health and stress-related disorder. The TSST has unveiled differences in males and females, as well as different age groups, in their neurobiological response to acute stress. The TSST has also deepened our understanding of how genotype may moderate the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress, and exciting new inroads have been made in understanding epigenetic contributions to the biological regulation of the acute stress response using the TSST. A number of innovative adaptations have been developed which allow for the TSST to be used in group settings, with children, in combination with brain imaging, and with virtual committees. Future applications may incorporate the emerging links between the gut microbiome and the stress response. Future research should also maximise use of behavioural data generated by the TSST. Alternative acute stress paradigms may have utility over the TSST in certain situations, such as those that require repeat testing. Nonetheless, we expect that the TSST remains the gold standard for examining the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress in humans.

A psychology of the human brain–gut–microbiome axis

“…The physiological impact of chronic stress can be contrasted with acute stress. For example, acute stress is associated with release of cortisol via the HPA axis (e.g., Allen, Kennedy, Cryan, Dinan, & Clarke, 2014;Allen, Kennedy, et al, 2017;Dickerson & Kemeny, 2004); an adaptive process that facilitates a response to immediate exposure to a stressor. In contrast, chronic stress is associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis (e.g., in people caring for family members with dementia, de Vugt et al, 2005;Stalder et al, 2014).…”

The relationship between the cortisol awakening response and cortisol reactivity to a laboratory stressor

“…Further limitations include a small sample size, the lack of a waiting period before TSST baseline, the exclusion of males, and limited age range. A two‐ to three‐fold elevation in cortisol secretion is expected in 75% of people in response to the TSST, and we found this elevation in 38.9% of participants (see Table ) (Allen et al ., ). This result may be due to the absence of a 20 min pre‐task rest period.…”

“…The TSST leads to two-to three-fold elevations in cortisol secretion from baseline in 70-85% of participants and had been administered in thousands of sessions worldwide (Allen et al, 2017;Kudielka, Hellhammer, & Kirschbaum, 2007;Kudielka & W€ ust, 2010). A sharp spike in salivary cortisol peaking approximately 10-30 min post-stressor, followed by a gradual recovery, is the hallmark pattern for cortisol reactivity (Allen et al, 2017). Cortisol elevations directly influence alertness, heart rate, and metabolic production and contribute to a shutdown of non-essential systems such as the immune system and reproduction in the short term to deal with the stressor (McEwen & Wingfield, 2003).…”

Instructors' gestures enhance their teaching experience and performance while recording video lectures

“…It included one item: “Did you feel stress while recording the video lecture?” Participants answered the item on a 5‐point Likert scale with end points of 1 ( no stress at all ) and 5 ( very stressed ). The original questionnaire is widely used in studies on stress (Allen et al, ; Kapfhamer, Strawn, Eastwood, & Szabo, ).…”