National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)

Chronotype: Its effect on cognitive flexibility among medical students with Internet Gaming Disorder: A cross-sectional study

  • Jayamala A.K.,
  • K. Hariesh,
  • Karthika Priyadharshini U,
  • Mathan K

DOI
https://doi.org/10.61770/NBEJMS.2023.v01.i12.002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 1, no. 12
pp. 714 – 724

Abstract

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Introduction: The role of technology is intended to aid rather than distract. Gaming Addiction has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disorder in the ICD11, diagnosed when behavior significantly impairs crucial aspects of life for at least 12 months. Notably, the use of technological devices, particularly smartphones and computer screens, affects the endogenous circadian clock or chronotype. Chronotype classifies individuals into three groups: early, intermediate, and late types, each with distinct sleep patterns and preferences. Cognitive flexibility involves suppressing interference from automated tasks, a skill evaluated through the Stroop effect in task-switching designs. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted over a 2-month duration on undergraduate students in a southern Indian medical college. Using convenient sampling, 600 Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) Short Form questionnaires were distributed, achieving an 81.5% response rate across all three student phases. Google play store-based app ‘App Usage Tracker (AUT)’ was used to assess the amount of time spent by the individual on each application. Chronotype of medical students was assessed using, Morningness and Eveningness questionnaire (MEQ). Cognitive flexibility was measured using a) Stroop Colour and Word Test and b) Trail Making Test (TMT). Results: Among 489 participants, the prevalence of IGD was 4.9%, with 24 individuals meeting the IGD9-SF endorsement criterion. Subsequent assessments for chronotype and cognitive flexibility in IGD students showed no significant association with Chronotypes. Higher IGD scores correlated with elevated TMT (B-A) scores, indicating reduced task-switching ability. More hours spent on gaming correlated with higher IGD scores, while productive online hours exhibited a negative correlation.

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