1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba
3Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru
4Retired Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a cluster of psychological and somatic symptoms in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle which subsides with the onset of menses. The prevalence of premenstrual tension is 2 to 10% for disabling symptoms where as minor symptoms are seen in 85% of women. Thus the performance of individual will be reduced during premenstrual phase. Reaction Time is a simple, non invasive performance task test which assesses the processing capabilities of CNS. In the present study, simple auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) were determined in 60 healthy female subjects between the age group 17 to 20 years during pre and postmenstrual phases.
To compare the auditory and visual reaction time in premenstrual and postmenstrual phases of menstrual cycle.
60 normal healthy female students in the age group 17–20 years, having regular menstrual cycles were selected from I year MBBS students, RRMCH. PC 1000 Hz Reaction timer was used to measure auditory and visual reaction time.
The mean ART in premenstrual and postmenstrual phase were 167+ 21 ms and 144+23 ms respectively. The mean VRT in premenstrual and post menstrual phase were 200+22 ms and 176+16 ms respectively. The P value for both ART and VRT was <0.0001 and results were considered extremely significant. This is attributed to delay in axonal conduction which occurs because of salt and water retention in premenstrual phase.
Premenstrual stress, ART, VRT
