Evaluation of Examination Stress and Its Effect on Cognitive Function among First Year Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Medical students experience stress at every phase of curriculum more so before examination. This stress may affect physiological, psychological and cognitive functions of the students. Aim:The present study aimed to evaluate stress status among first year MBBS students by recording pulse rate (PR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and using stress questionnaire; its effect on cognitive function by recording auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT). Setting and Design:It is a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods:A total of 100 (49 males and 51 females) first year healthy MBBS students participated. Stress questionnaire was given and assessed. Cardiovascular parameters were also assessed. The ART and VRT were recorded before (pre examination setting) and after 3 month of examination (post-examination setting).Statistical Analysis: The data were analysed by using SPSS 21.0 version.Results: All parameters namely PR, SBP, DBP, ART, VRT and stress scores were increased in preexamination setting irrespective of gender. Increased PR was observed in female learners where as stress score and SBP were increased in males in pre-examination setting. ART and VRT were more in females as compared to males in both setting.

Differences in Stress-Induced Modulation of the Auditory System Between Wistar and Lewis Rats

“…The influence of stress on hearing abilities can be seen in people (Pradhan et al, 2014 ) and in experimental animals (Muchnik et al, 1980 ; Dagnino-Subiabre et al, 2005 ; Mazurek et al, 2010 ). The majority of findings suggest development of hearing impairment following stressful situations.…”

“…Emotional stress is also known to associate with various hearing conditions such as sudden hearing loss, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, or hyperacusis (Rauschecker et al, 2010 , 2015 ; Mazurek et al, 2012b ). Moreover, acute stress increases auditory reaction times in healthy young people (Pradhan et al, 2014 ) and in healthy and autistic children (Fujikawa-Brooks et al, 2010 ), suggesting close interactions between stress response and cognitive function.…”

The Tridirectional Relationship among Physical Activity, Stress, and Academic Performance in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Hence, it is especially the examination phase in which students could profit from good stress-buffering abilities, as high amounts of perceived stress are known to diminish cognitive functioning in students [ 13 ], which in turn is highly correlated to AP [ 14 ]. Studies revealed significant negative correlations between perceived stress and AP in students, especially within examination periods at the end of a semester [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Effect of Supplementation with Saccharomyces Boulardii on Academic Examination Performance and Related Stress in Healthy Medical Students: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Threat response to a stressor, as found in a cold pressor test, may impair memory retrieval [3], which appears crucial to exam-passing rate [1]. Indeed, preexamination distress in medical students was found to impair cognitive function [4] and to predict poor academic performance [5][6][7]. Medical students tend to be more stressed than their peers, and academic examinations represent a significant source of this stress [5,8].…”