Choice Reaction Time in Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Females: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• auditory reaction time
• menstrual phases
• visual reaction time