Examination of electrodermal and cardio-vascular reactivity in virtual reality through a combined stress induction protocol

Abstract

Abstract In this study, task-related stress induction through Stroop task and social stress induction protocol based on elements of Trier Social Stress Test are examined. The aim of the paper is to find the optimal combination of social and task-related stress to be used to consistently and reliably induce a stressful reaction. In total 16 healthy subjects participated in this study that seeks to find and compare the different stressors and their relation to physiological reactivity. Our findings show that electrodermal activity measurements are suitable when using a combination of stressors while heart rate and Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences highlight a greater reactivity to task-stress.