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Research ArticleResearch and Reports

Salivary Cortisol Levels in Students Challenged with a Testing Stressor

Kathleen Kenwright, Patty W. Liddell, Leonard Bloom, Audrey Zucker-Levin, Ann H. Nolen, Lawrence W. Faulkner and Rosemary E. Batorski
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science October 2011, 24 (4) 221-226; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29074/ascls.24.4.221
Kathleen Kenwright
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163
CM
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  • For correspondence: kkenwrig@uthsc.edu
Patty W. Liddell
Baptist College of Health Sciences, Memphis, TN 38163
MS, MT(ASCP)SH
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Leonard Bloom
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
MPH, CT(ASCP)
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Audrey Zucker-Levin
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
PT, PhD, MBA, GCS
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Ann H. Nolen
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
Psy.D., OTR, FAOTA
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Lawrence W. Faulkner
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
Ph.D. OT/L
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Rosemary E. Batorski
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
MEd, MOT, OTR
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  1. Kathleen Kenwright, MS, MT,(ASCP)SI,MBCM⇑
    1. University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163
  2. Patty W. Liddell, MS, MT(ASCP)SH
    1. Baptist College of Health Sciences, Memphis, TN 38163
  3. Leonard Bloom, MPH, CT(ASCP)
    1. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  4. Audrey Zucker-Levin, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS
    1. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  5. Ann H. Nolen, Psy.D., OTR, FAOTA
    1. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  6. Lawrence W. Faulkner, Ph.D. OT/L
    1. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  7. Rosemary E. Batorski, MEd, MOT, OTR
    1. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
  1. Address for Correspondence: Kathleen Kenwright, MS, MT,(ASCP)SI,MBCM, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Suite 672, Memphis, TN 38163, 901-448-6338, kkenwrig{at}uthsc.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective was twofold. The focus of the study was primarily to determine if the stress of a particularly difficult exam could cause students to lose the normal diurnal variation seen in human cortisol levels and secondarily, to validate the use of a competitive enzyme immunoassay for salivary cortisol.

DESIGN: Physical therapy students enrolled in Research Design were asked to participate in the study by collecting baseline evening and morning salivary cortisols during what was regarded as a relatively stress free time in the Fall of 2009. The following spring, the same students were asked for samples the evening before and morning of their first Kinesiology test, traditionally a stressful time. Method validation was accomplished using instrumentation owned by the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program and analysis was performed by MLS faculty and a second year MLS student.

SETTING: Participants were enrolled in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Sample collection and testing was performed in the student laboratory of the Medical Laboratory Science Program.

PARTICIPANTS: Physical therapy students in their first year of a three-year entry level doctorate program, DPT.

RESULTS: This group of students did not lose their diurnal variation of cortisol. However, an unexpected finding was noted: the students' salivary cortisol specimen collected in the morning of the fall semester was significantly higher than the salivary cortisol specimen collected the morning of the test in the spring semester (p = .019). Method validation was successful demonstrating a strong correlation (r = 0.915) when compared to the reference laboratory.

CONCLUSIONS: Cortisol diurnal variation was not lost in the study participants, but further studies should be performed due to the low percentage of students completing the study and the lack of demographic diversity. Even though the method validation in the student laboratory setting demonstrates that it is indeed possible to obtain the same excellent correlation as is seen in a clinical setting, the student laboratory is not CLIA certified, so assays can be performed for research use only.

ABBREVIATIONS: ACTH-adrenocorticotropic hormone, CRH-corticotrophin-releasing hormone, DPT-Doctorate in Physical Therapy, BS-Baccalaureate of Science, BA-Baccalaureate of Arts, IRB-Internal Review Board, GPA-Grade Point Average, EIA-Enzyme Immunoassay, BMI-Basic Metabolic Index, CLIA-Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, ND-none detected

    INDEX TERMS
  • stress
  • cortisol
  • exams
  • students
  • © Copyright 2011 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Inc. All rights reserved.
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American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: 24 (4)
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Vol. 24, Issue 4
Fall 2011
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Salivary Cortisol Levels in Students Challenged with a Testing Stressor
Kathleen Kenwright, Patty W. Liddell, Leonard Bloom, Audrey Zucker-Levin, Ann H. Nolen, Lawrence W. Faulkner, Rosemary E. Batorski
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Oct 2011, 24 (4) 221-226; DOI: 10.29074/ascls.24.4.221

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Salivary Cortisol Levels in Students Challenged with a Testing Stressor
Kathleen Kenwright, Patty W. Liddell, Leonard Bloom, Audrey Zucker-Levin, Ann H. Nolen, Lawrence W. Faulkner, Rosemary E. Batorski
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Oct 2011, 24 (4) 221-226; DOI: 10.29074/ascls.24.4.221
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Keywords

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