title: A brief, versatile, computerized, stress-inducing task derived from the Stroop color word test.
abstract: A brief, computerized version of the Stroop color word test (SCWT), which consists in reading words while ignoring their colors (reading task), is presented. It transitorily induced a moderate stress in non-anxious normal males, which was quantified with performance scores, subjective reports, urinary levels of catecholamines and vital parameters. Among the latter, cardiac frequency proved to be the most discriminant, enabling to distinguish between the different physical and mental loads imposed by the task. Stress was elicited rapidly (total task duration: 6 min) thanks to: 1) the presence of a conditioning series prior to the conflictual series, 2) a reconversion of the (usually voiced) semantic response into a color patch followed by a motor response, and 3) the use of conflicting acoustic signals as distractors. The brevity of the task reduced the 'spill-over' effect and prevented rapid habituation during repeated exposures. Both this feature and computerization, which allows great versatility in selection of the test parameters and in data handling, make possible the inclusion of this SCWT version in a clinical psychopharmacology psychometrical battery.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, CHU "A. Vésale", Montigny-Le-Tilleul, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douchamps
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003201:Computers; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*