FIG 2.

Effect on the time-dependent changes of psychological and physiological stress markers during the experimental period. STAI-state score (A), VAS measure feelings of stress (B), salivary cortisol (C), and salivary alpha-amylase activity (D). One subject in the L. casei strain Shirota (LcS) group was excluded from the analysis because no questionnaires were collected. Values indicate the means ± SE. Data were analyzed by Dunnett's multiple-comparison test within a group and two-way ANOVA between the groups. #, P < 0.05 between the two groups; *, P < 0.05; and **, P < 0.01 versus baseline.