Study of Auditory and Visual Reaction Time in Diabetics

Abstract

BACKGROUND Reaction time is the time interval between application of stimulus and the response obtained. It includes the time taken for central delay. 1 It is an important parameter to evaluate nervous system. It is dependent on several factors starting from nerve conduction to coordinating system in our body including long term and recent memory learning ability, criticism, perception and visual-auditory skills. We wanted to evaluate the effects of diseases like diabetes on reaction time. METHODS In the present study, visual and auditory reaction time was studied in 50 diabetics and in 50 normal subjects. There was prolongation of reaction time in diabetes. In diabetes there is involvement of peripheral conduction because of neuropathy, decreased processing of information in central nervous system and decreased attention. Reaction times can be measured by a variety of techniques in the lab. The simplest test is to present a stimulus to a test subject and instruct the subject to press a button as fast as possible after the stimulus is perceived. Responses can be measured by using a response box. Often-used stimuli are either visual (e.g., a coloured dot that pops up at random times on a computer screen), measure the reaction time from stimulus presentation up to the moment the subject presses the button. Hence, obtained response latencies include peripheral sensory processes, central sensor motor processing in the brain, and motor output. We have used response analyser to the measure reaction time. RESULTS Visual reaction time in healthy subjects was 184.12 + 12.19 msec. In diabetics visual reaction time was 224.86 + 12.5 msec and auditory was 224.1+12.39 msec. CONCLUSIONS Reaction time is significantly prolonged in individuals with diabetes mellitus. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.005).