An online Trier social stress paradigm to evoke affective and cardiovascular responses

• Published in: Psychophysiology Vol. 59; no. 10; pp. e14067 - n/a
• Main Authors: DuPont, Caitlin M., Pressman, Sarah D., Reed, Rebecca G., Manuck, Stephen B., Marsland, Anna L., Gianaros, Peter J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2022
• Subjects: blood pressur; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular system; COVID-19; Emotions; Heart rate; Mathematics; psychological stress; Social interactions; stress reactivity; heart rate; stress reactivity; psychological stress; blood pressur
• DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14067
• ISSN: 0048-5772

In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, prior studies have modified the Trier Social Stress Test to be conducted remotely. The current study aimed to extend these studies to test whether a remote Trier Social Stress Test (rTSST) can elicit (a) affective, (b) blood pressure, and (c) heart rate responses relative to a control condition and whether these responses were reliable when assessed 1 week later. Participants (N = 99, 19.7 ± 3.5 years, 55% female) were randomized to a control or stress condition. Participants received blood pressure monitors in person. Controls completed easier versions of the tasks with a single, friendly researcher. Stress participants performed more difficult versions of the task in front of two judges who participants believed were rating their performance. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 2 min throughout, while affect was assessed at baseline, after the final task, and following recovery. The rTSST was feasible to administer with minimal technical issues reported. Participants reported lower positive affect and higher negative affect during the tasks in the stress condition relative to controls. Similarly, stress participants had higher cardiovascular responses during the tasks relative to controls, except that blood pressure was not elevated during mental arithmetic in stress participants relative to controls. Cardiovascular responses demonstrated good test–retest reliability when assessed 1 week later, especially when computed using area under the curve methods. Overall, a rTSST can be used to elicit affective and cardiovascular reactivity and provides an opportunity to increase the accessibility of research participation among diverse populations. We demonstrate that the Trier Social Stress Test can evoke both affective and cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) responses when delivered online and remotely. This protocol can be administered during the COVID‐19 pandemic and could be used to include underserved and other populations that may have less accessibility to participate in research protocols.