Present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, on first year medical students on two intervals of one academic year; middle of the 1st Term (Pre examination), interval between essay paper and practical examination (Examination). The objectives were to determine the effect of examination stress measured by self-evaluation questionnaire and its correlation with autonomic function tests. The parameters used to measure the level of stress; Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) self evaluation questionnaire and autonomic function tests.
The study revealed that, autonomic functions are disturbed during the examination indicated by increase in abnormal autonomic function tests. However the group with elevated anxiety was not associated with increased abnormal autonomic functions from baseline to examinations. The examinations in first year medical students are stressful enough to affect the autonomic functions by increasing the abnormal autonomic function tests.
Examination Stress, Stress and autonomic functions
