Examination stress and its effect on EEG
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 11
Abstract
Background: Medical curriculum is highly stressful because of mismatching of time and curricular activity. Some stress is also required for the study. Therefore, this study is designed to find out the changes in brain owing to examination stress, which is evaluated by electroencephalogram (EEG). Objective: To find out the changes in EEG waves owing to examination stress. Material and Methods: Sixty-two medical students were selected by questionnaire method (Medical Students Stressor Questionnaire). They were grouped in four categories of stress—mild, moderate, high, and severe. EEG was recorded in all the subjects in two settings [i.e., in normal day-to-day life (baseline) and during examination stress]. Paired t -test was applied to compare the changes in both the situations. Result: In subjects with mild and moderate stress, the baseline EEG was alpha wave, and the EEG in examination stress was beta wave. In subjects with high stress, the baseline EEG and the EEG in examination stress was beta wave. In subjects with severe stress, the baseline EEG was beta wave and the EEG in examination stress was theta wave. In each level of stress, the change is statistically significant. Subjects with mild and moderate stress subjects were able to cope with the situation; so, baseline EEG was alpha wave. But, during the period of examination, their levels of stress increased and were unable to cope; so, EEG showed beta waves. In subjects with high stress, both baseline EEG (low frequency wave) and EEG in examination stress (high frequency wave) were beta waves. In subjects with severe stress, baseline EEG was beta wave but the examination stress EEG showed theta wave because of frustration and disappointment. Conclusion: This study concludes that examination stress can alter the brain function to a certain degree, which is quan - tified by EEG.
Authors and Affiliations
Sunil Kumar Jena
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP117443
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2015.23042015308
- Views 103
- Downloads 0
Management of comminuted extraarticular inferior pole patella fractures with partial patellectomy and patellar tendon repair by transosseous sutures
Background: Lower pole patella fractures are not uncommon and are often comminuted and not amenable to traditional fixation methods as difficult to reduce and fix. Optimal method of treatment is still debatable. We prese...
Impact of oral hygiene training of anganwadi workers on improvement of oral hygiene in rural child population of Jammu and Kashmir
Background: In India, there is an inequitable distribution of skilled dental practitioners. 70% of the Indian population resides in the rural area, for which only 30% of dental facilities are accessible. Anganwadi worker...
Nutritional status of under-5 children in the newly carved states of India
Background: In June 2014, state of Andhra Pradesh was divided into two new states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Both the new states will face the challenges of new born states in the coming years. India’s progress...
A study to predict weight of children aged upto 2 years based on foot length for emergency drug dosage calculation on basis of predicted weight.
Background: Anthropometry is the science of measurement of human body and is important part of clinical examination. Foot length is an important the growth parameter. Aims & Objective s : (1)...
Quality of Life assessment among Type 2 Diabetic patients in rural tertiary centre
Background: Quality of life assessment is considered as important measure of outcome in chronic disease management. With increase in prevalence of Diabetes in India it becomes important to assess the quality of life...