A NEW STRESS TOLERANCE TEST WITH SIMULTANEOUS STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES

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Abstract
A new stress tolerance test is presented, which allows of a quantitative estimation of the working capacity of the individual in a stressful working situation. It also allows of a quantitative measurement of some physiological changes as well as observations of psychological behaviour caused by the experimental stress situation, which attempts to parallel the different stresses of actual working life. In two clinically different groups investigated, statistically significant differences were found with regard to working efficiency, and to urinary output of adrenaline and noradrenaline, but not to 17-ketosteroids and corticosteroids in the urine, or to reduced glutathione in the blood. In spite of the small series, it seems justifiable to conclude that a simultaneous estimation of the working capacity and probably of the behaviour, and of the urinary output of adrenaline and noradrenaline during the described stress situation may serve as an improved diagnostic aid in the estimation of the stress tolerance of different individuals in psychiatric, medical and psycho-technical work. At present the test is being investigated on a larger series of cases.