Psychoneuroendocrinology
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Jul 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialHPA axis activation by a socially evaluated cold-pressor test.
The cold-pressor test (CPT) in which subjects immerse their hand in ice water is among the most commonly used laboratory stressors. While the CPT elicits strong sympathetic nervous system activation, cortisol elevations indicative for the reactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are moderate to low in response to the CPT. In the present study, we assessed whether cortisol responses to the CPT can be increased by adding social-evaluative elements. ⋯ Social evaluation during hand immersion in warm water did not affect saliva cortisol levels suggesting that both social evaluation and a challenge are required for HPA axis activation. These findings indicate that the incorporation of social-evaluative elements increases HPA axis responses to the CPT. The SECPT can serve as a tool for future stress research.