The video-recorded stroop color-word test as a new model of experimentally-induced anxiety

Abstract

1. the use of the Stroop Color-Word Test as a model of experimentally induced anxiety was evaluated.2. First, the authors examined the influence of trait anxiety and the type of instructions on the anxiety state level. Subjects with high trait anxiety (above 50 on State-Trait Anxiety Scale - STAI) showed a significant increase in anxiety state only with limited time (2 minutes) and error signal (with a ringing bell) procedures. This increase was blocked by diazepam (DZP) 5.0 mg p.o. both on pre- and post-test measures, but it was not changed by placebo administration.3. the public performance simulation (with a video-camera) was effective to raise the anxiety state on normal volunteers with mean trait anxiety (between 30 and 50 on STAI). This raise was prevented with diazepam 5.0 mg p.o. but it was not prevented with placebo administration.4. As a whole, these data suggest that the Video-recorded Stroop Color-Word Test is an effective anxiety provoking test, able to detect the effect of standard anxiolytic drug and stressed the importance of trait anxiety level and the instructions on tests that induced anxiety experimentally.