Electrophysiological detection of exam stress in health schools' students

Anxiety is a common issue among university students, many of them experience anxiety, depression, and stress during their school life. This study aimed to compare the acute physiological stress responses of students divided into two groups according to their perceived anxiety levels (positive test a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Physiology international Vol. 111; no. 3; p. 222
Main Authors:	Kazdagli, Hasan, Ozel, H Fehmi, Ozturk, Suleyman, Ceylan, Deniz, Erdeniz, Burak, Ozbek, Mustafa, Semin, M Ilgi
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Hungary 18-09-2024
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Anxiety - diagnosis Anxiety - physiopathology Female Galvanic Skin Response - physiology Heart Rate - physiology Humans Male Stress, Psychological - diagnosis Stress, Psychological - physiopathology Students - psychology Test Anxiety - diagnosis Test Anxiety - physiopathology Young Adult electrodermal activity acute physiological stress responses heart rate variability perceived anxiety exam stress
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Summary:	Anxiety is a common issue among university students, many of them experience anxiety, depression, and stress during their school life. This study aimed to compare the acute physiological stress responses of students divided into two groups according to their perceived anxiety levels (positive test anxiety, PTA+, and negative test anxiety, PTA-). Heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA) were used to assess stress.Thirty-one healthy volunteers participated in the study. Participants completed anxiety assessments, including the Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Test State Anxiety Inventory (TSAI). Based on their scores, participants were categorized into PTA+ and PTA- groups. All participants underwent 24-h continuous recordings of pulse and electrodermal activity (EDA) on two separate occasions: one day prior to a written exam and during a designated exam-free day serving as a baseline control.We compared the HRV and EDA data obtained on a regular day and on an exam day between the two groups. Results showed that the PTA+ group had significantly higher heart rate, stress index, low frequency, and short-term detrended fluctuation analysis (DFAα1) on the exam day. The tonic EDA component was also higher in the PTA+ group. Stress-related HRV and EDA parameters were negatively correlated with exam scores.In conclusion, the study found that physiological stress indicators obtained from HRV and EDA are associated with perceived exam anxiety in students.
ISSN:	2498-602X
DOI:	10.1556/2060.2024.00354