Choice Reaction Time in Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Females: A Cross-sectional Study
Introduction: The gonadal hormone output of females fluctuates monthly, and the endometrium, ovaries, and other genital organs undergo physical changes. It is known that women experience fluctuations in mood, energy, and cognitive abilities during different phases of their Menstrual Cycle (MC)....
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/18753/65305_CE[Ra1]_F[SL]_QC&REF(KK_IS)_PF1(VD_OM)_PFA(KM)_PN(OM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The gonadal hormone output of females fluctuates
monthly, and the endometrium, ovaries, and other genital organs
undergo physical changes. It is known that women experience
fluctuations in mood, energy, and cognitive abilities during
different phases of their Menstrual Cycle (MC). Reaction Time
(RT) is utilised to measure the ability of brain processing. The
present study analysed the effect of various phases occurring
in the MC on choice RT.
Aim: To determine whether hormonal changes that occur
throughout the MC and its phases may have any effect on
cognition.
Materials and Methods: An observational analytical crosssectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology
at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, Maharashtra,
India. The study duration was six months, from August 2021
to April 2022. A total of 50 apparently healthy females aged
18-25 years were included in the study. The subjects with a
history of normal and regular MC for the last six months were
included. The Choice Reaction Time (CRT) with visual and
auditory stimuli was analysed using an RT apparatus developed
by Anand Agencies, Pune, India. In CRT, random auditory and
visual stimuli were given to the subjects, and they had to react
accordingly. The RT apparatus timer started when the stimuli
were given, and it automatically stopped when the subject
reacted, providing the RT. RT was noted in the subjects on four
occasions: two days prior to menstrual bleeding (premenstrual),
the 2nd day during menstruation, the 8th day (follicular phase),
and the 18th day after menstrual bleeding (luteal phase). The
average value of each type of Visual Reaction Time (VRT) and
Auditory Reaction Time (ART) in the various menstrual phases
was noted and analysed. The level of significance in the various
menstrual phases was analysed with inferential statistical study
using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple
comparison Tukey’s post-hoc test.
Results: In the present study, prolongation of visual and
ART was seen in the luteal phase. There was prolongation of
VRT when the luteal phase was compared to the menstrual
and follicular phase, but the difference was not statistically
significant (p<0.05). While in ART, there was prolongation
when the luteal phase was compared with the premenstrual,
menstrual, and follicular phase, but the difference was not
statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The current study reveals that there was a non
significant prolongation of visual and ART in the luteal phase of
MC when CRT was analysed. Thus, it was observed that there
was no influence of fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones on ART
and VRT in various phases of the MC while conducting CRT. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |