What do arithmetic stress tests measure? Protocol variations and cardiovascular responses.

Three studies tested the effects of the following design/protocol variations in mental arithmetic: 1) Order of task, 2) vocal versus written delivery of responses, 3) effects of different types of superimposed noise distractors, and 4) varying types of mental arithmetic challenges. All studies used the same basic protocol with 20-min adaptation, 5-min task, and 3-min recovery periods; dependent cardiovascular variables were systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate; in Study 2 respiration rate and respiratory amplitude were also assessed. Findings showed that vocal delivery enhanced subjective distress, lowered performance, and enhanced diastolic blood pressure responses. Noise distraction augmented distress but did not affect task performance. Variable noise distraction augmented systolic blood pressure and heart rate responses but only when math equations were presented on a video screen. Autonomic response adaptation was apparent from first to second tasks but not thereafter. The built-in replications strengthened these findings.