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Effect of Examination Stress on Parameters of Autonomic Functions in Medical Students

Background & Objectives: Pre-examination Stress is a common condition faced by students prior to exams and is quite predominant among medical students. Many studies have been conducted to assess the impact of stress on students prior to examinations. Stress leads to autonomic arousal and change in many of autonomic functions. In this study our aim to determine changes in parameters of autonomic functions in the first year medical students during pre-examination period. Methods: The study group consisted of 30 medical students (17 males and 13 females) who were students of first year M.B.B.S, medical college, Baroda. The data of parameters of autonomic functions (pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body temperature, galvanic skin resistance) was taken 5-7 days before examination and follow up data collection for the same parameters 5-7 days after examination. The data were analyzed using student’s Paired T – test. Results: Participants had a mean±SD age of 17.80 ± 0.48 years, height of 164.97±4.86 cm and weight of 54.9±6.29kg. The pulse rate (/min) before examination showed a value of 89.87±8.08 and after, it showed a value of 83.27±9.20. The systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) before examination showed a value of 115.20 ±9.97 and after, it showed a value of 112.14 ±6.80. The diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) before examination showed a value of 78.67± 7.88 and after, it showed a value of 75.47 ±5.73. The body temperature before examination (F) showed a value of 98.53±0.59 and after, it showed a value of 98.14±0.88. For all the parameters, a P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Conclusion: There was a statistically highly significant increase in pulse rate, body temperature, significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and highly significant decrease in galvanic skin resistance during pre-examination period. There does occur increase in sympathetic activity in students who were to appear in their examination consequent to the psychological stress faced by them.