A faster Cold Face Test response was associated with a reduced cortisol increase, explaining 17.9% of the total variance in cortisol response to acute stress.
Observational (n=33)
Is Cold Face Test-induced vagal inhibition associated with cortisol response to acute stress in healthy male subjects?
A faster Cold Face Test response is associated with a reduced cortisol increase and enhanced mood after acute stress, supporting an inverse relationship between vagal function and the HPA axis.
Effect estimate: 17.9% variance explained
Abstract Low vagal function is related to several disorders. One possible underlying mechanism linking the vagus nerve and disorders is the HPA axis. Thirty‐three healthy male subjects participated in a stress task, while heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), salivary cortisol, and mood were assessed. Vagal function was determined using baseline, stress‐induced inhibition, and Cold Face Test (CFT)‐induced stimulation. The stress task induced a significant increase in cortisol and HR, a decrease in RSA, and a worsening of mood. A linear regression model with the time from CFT onset until maximum bradycardia as the independent variable explained 17.9% of the total variance in cortisol in response to the stressor (mood: 36.5%). The results indicate that a faster CFT response is associated with reduced cortisol increase and enhanced mood after acute stress. Our data support an inverse relationship between vagal function and the HPA axis.
Marca et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Healthy (n=33). Cold Face Test (CFT) was evaluated on Cortisol response to acute stress (17.9% variance explained). A faster Cold Face Test response was associated with a reduced cortisol increase, explaining 17.9% of the total variance in cortisol response to acute stress.