Dr. M. Saravanan
BACKGROUNDMedical education has always been regarded as highly stressful to students. The same stressors may be perceived differently by different medical students, depending on their cultural background, personal traits, experience and coping skills. Exam stress, inordinate hours, sleep deprivation, excessive workload, helplessness, increased psychological pressure, mental tension, adds to the stress of medical students. Reaction time is an index of sensory motor performance. Exam stress affects cognitive function.The aim of the study is to find the effect of exam stress on auditory and visual reaction time in first year medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study group consists of 63 healthy first year medical students of both genders in the age group of 18-20 years. The time between the auditory and visual stimulus given and response of the subject from the sensor will be taken as reaction time. The auditory and visual reaction times were recorded before and after the exam period. Statistical analysis of the data was done by using paired ‘t’ test. RESULTS There was significantly prolonged visual and auditory reaction time values before exam on comparison with baseline stress free period. On comparing the same values between females and males also, the results were statistically significant. Exam stress affects the cognitive performance of the students. Prolongation of auditory and visual reaction time reflects the same in our study. Optimal stress relievers are needed in student life to cope with stress and ease out the stressful periods like exam stress. CONCLUSION1. Exam stress affects the cognitive performance of the students.2. Prolongation of auditory and visual reaction time reflects the same in our study.3. Optimal stress relievers are needed in student life to cope with stress and ease out the stressful periods like exam stress.
