Trier Social Stress Test

**Semantic type:** Intellectual Product

**Definition:** A protocol for induction of moderate psychological stress in a laboratory setting and for evaluating its effects on physiological responses. It mainly consists of a 10 minute anticipation period, followed by a 10 minute test period during which the subject has to deliver a free speech and perform mental arithmetic in front of an audience. This protocol has been found to induce changes in the concentration of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol (serum and saliva), somatotropin, and prolactin, as well as significant increases in heart rate.

**Synonyms:** - TSST