Measuring Stress

A number of different stressors can be employed to elicit both physiological and psychological stress responses. For example, prolonged multi-tasking in a monitored environment increases physiological stress responses and self-ratings of anxiety and reduces ratings of calmness. Social stressors, such as the Trier Social Stress Test, can be utilised to elicit an even greater response. Currently in development, the use of virtual reality headgear will allow the delivery of stress provoking scenarios in a safe environment. 

Physiological responses to stress can be measured in a number of different ways; heart rate and blood pressure can be easily monitored throughout testing in the lab, and saliva samples taken at various time points during test sessions or over the course of an intervention period can be analysed for hormonal (e.g. cortisol) and immunological (e.g. salivary Immunoglobin A) stress responses.

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