Real-Time Assessment of Stress and Stress Response

Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich

Overview

Stress is a complex natural phenomenon, frequently related to a physiological response, including heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin conductance and temperature. The subjective experience varies greatly; broadly, it may be conceived as a freeze, flight, fight, fright or faint response. Many studies have demonstrated the negative influence of psychological stress on health and well-being. Through the digital phenotyping of physiological and psychological stress reactions, in a controlled laboratory setting (Trier Social Stress Test- TSST) and real-life situations, in a population of healthy participants and patients with a major psychiatric disorder, we expect to find reliable and valid digital biomarkers. The results of this study will, therefore, not only contribute to a better understanding of stress and stress response but also have the potential to improve diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Psychiatric Disorder Stress Reaction Stress, Psychological Stress, Physiological

Interventions

Trier Social Stress TestBEHAVIORAL

The TSST-G is a psychological paradigm which combines high levels of social-evaluative threat and uncontrollability in a group setting. The TSST-G will proceed in groups of three to five participants (from the same diagnostic group). The TSST-G consists of three phases: a briefing; the psychological test itself, followed by a debriefing phase. Each phase will last 40, 20 and 60 minutes, respectively. The briefing and debriefing of the TSST-G will be conducted by experienced psychotherapists. The TSST-G itself will be conducted by personal unknown to the participants.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants are competent to give informed consent. * Participants are right handed * German language proficiency as a native speaker or level B1 * Diagnosis of a cluster C personality disorder according to ICD-10; or * Diagnosis of depressive disorder according to ICD-10; or * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to ICD-10; or * Without a current psychiatric disorder. Exclusion Criteria: * Low Intelligence as confirmed by failure to complete regular compulsory education. * Pregnancy or over two weeks delay in the menstrual cycle. * Previous participation in a psychological trial involving psychosocial stress assessment. * Current neurological disorder. * Current cardiovascular disorder. * Current respiratory disorder. * Current substance use or withdrawal. * Any change in medication in the previous week.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Cortisol

Saliva Cortisol Concentration

Time frame: Change from 40 and 20 min. before the intervention. 0, 10, 20 30, 40, 60 and 80 min. after the intervention

Subjective Stress

Stress Questionnaire

Time frame: Change from 40 and 20 min. before the intervention. 0, 10, 20 30, 40, 60 and 80 min. after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Psychopathological Assessement

Symptom Questionnaire

Time frame: 1 day

Psychiatric Diagnosis

Structured psychiatric Interview