Identifying the most effective acute stress induction methods for producing SAM- and HPA-related physiological responses: a meta-analysis

Laboratory-based stress inductions are commonly used to elicit acute stress but vary widely in their procedures and effectiveness. We compared the effects of stress induction techniques on measures of two major biological stress systems: the early sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) and the delayed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response. A review and meta-analysis to examine the relationship between stress induction techniques on cardiorespiratory and salivary measures of SAM and HPA system activity. A systematic literature search identified 245 reports and 700 effects. The overall effect of stress induction techniques on the stress response was moderate (Fisher's Stress induction techniques variably elicit SAM - and HPA-related responses. Results recommend specific induction techniques for targeting stress systems, highlighting the importance of carefully selecting methodologies in laboratory contexts.