Analysis of Psychophysiological Stress Response in Higher Education Students Undergoing Clinical Practice Evaluation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychophysiological response of Physiotherapy degree students during a complete clinical practice as well as their psychological profile in relation to coping style in stressful situations, and its impact on academic performance. We analysed in 15 students heart rate variability (HRV) to analyse autonomic modulation in three moments during the entire clinical practices of 3 months (4 h per day, 3 days per week), first session, middle session and last session; perceived stress, personality, life engagement, cognitive flexibility before starting the clinical practice the academic performance after the clinical practice. Results based on HRV and related indexes parameters fail to indicate the expected autonomic adaptation during the practice. A complete clinical practice of Physiotherapy degree students did not produce an habituation process since a high sympathetic autonomic nervous system modulation was measured in the beginning, at the middle and at the final of the clinical practice. Below-average scores are presented in a personality factor associated with traditional and non-adaptive coping styles that could explain the non-habituation of the students. Finally, none of the analyzed indexes has been able to relate to academic performance.

Stress and burnout: Exploring postgraduate physiotherapy students’ experiences and coping strategies.

“…Stress is de ned as the dynamic interaction encompassing the physical, emotional, and psychological responses between the individual and their environment 1 . Stress has continually been reported to be in uenced by higher educational demands within pre-registration (Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Physiotherapy) physiotherapy programs [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . In addition, stress is also affected by other external factors including relationships, relocation, and nancial pressures 12 .…”

“…Current research identi es challenges and imposing demands placed on physiotherapy students and the subsequent impacts both psychologically and emotionally that these demands have 2,3,11 . To date, the impact of stress and burnout in physiotherapy students across the rst year of study has not been explored.…”

Differences in Psychoneuroendocrine Stress Responses of High-Level Swimmers Depending on Autocratic and Democratic Coaching Style

“…The perception of being exposed to an autocratic coach showed increased cortisol levels in preactive swimmers before training. This anticipatory response has also been observed prior to competitions and evaluations, where the perception of threat, uncontrollability and uncertainty triggers a defensive response to prepare a person for any possible hazard [23][24][25]; however, further studies with a large sample size are needed to confirm this. Coach A induced an increase in cortisol concentrations and fostered a climate of "self-demotivation", negatively affecting the training experience of swimmers.…”

Respuesta Autonómica de estrés en estudiantes de Doctorado

“…Los estudiantes analizados no presentaron una respuesta anticipatoria de ansiedad, factor previamente observado en otros contextos académicos como la evaluación de estudiantes de psicología en una situación simulada de atención clínica de un paciente, obteniendo valores menores en SD1, SD2, PNN50 Y RMSSD en comparación con el presente estudio (Beltrán-Velasco, Bellido-Esteban, Ruisoto-Palomera, Herrera-Mendoza y Clemente-Suárez, 2020). En esta misma línea, se encontraron menores valores en los parámetros PNN50, RMSSD, SD1 y SD2, al evaluar la reacción anticipatoria frente a una práctica clínica completa en estudiantes de fisioterapia (Beltrán-Velasco et al, 2019).…”