Effect of chewing tobacco on reaction time – A comparative study

Background: The smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco consist of about 4000 chemical constituents having carcinogenic potential and nicotine is the major among these. A considerable amount of evidence states that long-term administration of nicotine can change the fundamental properties of cholinergic neurotransmission, leading to changes in synaptic efficacy and resulting in modified behaviors. The effects of nicotine on cognition have been interesting, but knowledge regarding it seems to be inconsistent. As there are very few studies in India to the influence of nicotine on reaction time, especially in the case of smokeless tobacco users, this study was undertaken with an attempt to find out whether “smokeless tobacco” effects cognition by assessing the reaction time. Aims and Objectives: To estimate and compare the auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) of tobacco users with non-tobacco users. Materials and Methods: This study is conducted on 70 male participants with 35 healthy male tobacco chewers in the age group of 18–55 years and an equal number of healthy age- matched male controls (non-tobacco chewers). ART and VRT were recorded in both groups using a reaction time apparatus with an inbuilt chronoscope. Results: Both ART and VRTs are faster in tobacco chewers compared to non-tobacco chewers, and the difference is statistically highly significant. Conclusion: This study, hence, demonstrates that nicotine shortens reaction times, thereby temporarily improving cognition, which can be attributed to the stimulatory effect of nicotine that may be due to an accelerated response to the various stimuli caused by the effect of nicotine. This can be due to catecholamine release in the brain that affects the central nervous system of chronic tobacco users to have significant consequences in the near future.

Auditory and visual reaction times among children of chronic smokers and non-smokers: A comparative study

Background: Tobacco consumption is the primary cause for cancers in men and women in India. Second hand smoking also has toxins in the similar concentration affecting children in particular leading to many health-related conditions including neurological disorders. The present study was done with the hypothesis that passive smoking in children causes delay in their reaction time when compared to the children of non-smokers which indicates cognition deficit. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (1) Comparison of the visual simple reaction time (VSRT) and visual choice reaction time (VCRT) among the children of chronic smokers and non-smokers and (2) to compare the auditory simple reaction time (ASRT) and auditory choice reaction time (ACRT) among the children of chronic smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. After obtaining necessary permission and consents, 30 children aged between 8 and 14 years with exposure to passive smoking as cases and 30 children of non-smoking parents as controls were included in the study. Audio-visual reaction timer was used. Results: Student’s “t” test was used for analysis. Mean value of VSRT showed 248.3 ms among controls and 277.7 ms in cases; VCRT among controls was 277.4 ms and 309.1 ms in cases (P < 0.05). Means of ASRT in controls was 213 ms and 250.4 in cases; ACRT in controls was 244 ms and among cases was 272.4 ms (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant delay in VSRT, VCRT, and ASRT was seen among the children exposed to tobacco smoke. ACRT also showed delayed response but not statistically significant.

Association of Personality Trait with Auditory and Visual Reaction Time among Young Healthy Subjects

Background: Personality traits along with well-known factors like socioeconomic status and cognitive ability, predict important life outcomes such as health and lifespan, educational and occupational attainment, and may promote specific types of task effectiveness, which occurs in part via the processing of information. Reaction time provides an indirect index of the central nervous system’s integrity and processing ability. Material and Methods: The 111 healthy subjects (aged 17 -23 years) interviewed to pre-designed proforma regarding socio-demographic profile, “Glazer-Stress Control Lifestyle” questionnaire for personality trait and reaction time recorded by “Audio-Visual reaction time apparatus”. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics 20, and the P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 19.21±1.40 years, with a mean body mass index 20.65±4.32 kg/m2. Male subjects (68%) outnumbered the female participants (43%), and more than half of the subjects doing exercise. The nuclear family was the preferred mode of living belonging to class-II socioeconomic status (86%). The association of personality traits with auditory (low and high frequency) and visual (red and green light) reaction time was non-significant. Type-A personality subjects were maximum (13/20th), followed by Type-AB (6/20th) and least of Type-B personality (1/20th). Conclusion: The personality trait has no impact on auditory and visual reaction time. Though maximum participants belong to type A personality, still ambitious, proactive, and competitive nature does not influence the basic neurophysiological characteristics of the human body.

Effect of low volume background instrumental flute music on visual reaction time: a cross sectional interventional study

Background: Music is believed to affect the cognitive function. However, there is conflicting evidence about the effect of background music on the same. Few studies have been done on the effect of instrumental music on cognition. Aim and Objective: The aim of our study was to study the effect of low-volume instrumental music on visual reaction time (RT). Materials and Methods: Visual RT (simple reaction time [SRT] and choice reaction time [CRT]) using Deary–Liewald software was recorded in 48 medical students aged 18–21 years, without, and then with low-volume background instrumental flute music. Results were compared with regard to change in mean values of SRT, CRT, and mean central processing time. Data were analyzed statistically using unpaired t-test and statistical significance (P < 0.05) was sought. Results: We did not find any statistically significant change in visual RT after subjecting the students to low-volume background instrumental music. Conclusion: Background instrumental does not significantly affect visual RT but this should be further analyzed.

Does visual reaction time change with gender?

Background: The reaction time (RT) of an organism refers to how quickly it reacts to a stimuli. The rate at which the central nervous system analyses sensory data and then executes it as a motor response is measured by RT. The human body responds to different sensory modalities in different ways and at different rates. This is critical in both routine and emergency situations. Gender, age, physical fitness, level of exhaustion, distraction, and alcohol have all been shown to influence RT. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the visual RT of first phase MBBS and BDS students to red and green colors. Materials and Methods: Following ethical approval, 250 first phase medical students, ranging in age from 17 to 20, were selected, and all participants provided written informed consent. Anand Agencies Pune designed an audiovisual RT gadget that was utilized to collect visual response time (VRT). The unpaired t-test was performed to assess the data statistically. Results: The individuals’ VRT for the colors Red (R) (Mean: 0.199 s) and Green (G) (Mean: 0.218 s) were statistically significant (P < 0.001). In addition, the variance of VRT in men (Mean: [R] 0.192 s, [G] 0.206 s) was significantly greater than in females (Mean: [R] 0.209 s, [G] 0.226 s; P < 0.001). The results were tallied and examined statistically. Conclusion: As a result of our research, we discovered that the VRT for green was significantly greater than that of red. This might be due to the fact that green takes longer to process than red. Males react to stimuli faster than females.

Effects of age, gender, and anthropometric measurements on simple visual and auditory reaction time in healthy Indian adults

Background: Reaction time (RT) is the time interval between the application of a stimulus and voluntary motor response. Both visual and auditory RT reflect the cognitive function of an individual specially in spatial skills. Aims and Objective: This study aims to find the correlation between age, gender, and anthropometric measurements on simple visual and auditory RT. Material and Methods: One hundred healthy volunteers of both the genders (males 52 and females 48) aged between 18 and 50 years were recruited. RT is the elapsed time between the presentation of a stimulus and the subsequent behavioral response to occur. Subjects were presented with red light and 1000 Hz tone sound stimuli for both the genders. In RT there is coordination between the sensory and motor system occurs. The height, weight, waist circumference, and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were measured to observe the effects of these measurements on visual reaction time (VRT) and auditory reaction time (ART). Results: Statistical analysis of the data by one-way ANOVA with post hoc by Turkey HSD test was found significant with age, gender, and other anthropometric measurements WHR, BSA, and waist circumference) with P-value of 0.027, 0.067; 0.001, 0.125 and BMI 0.135 and 0.200; WHR 0.086 and 0.043; 0.050 and 0.064, respectively. Conclusion: As hypothesis suggests when BMI is increased, there is a significant increase in RT. The VRT and ART both are increased in female than male. RT increases as the age increases especially after 40 years. Objective: The objective of the study was to find the correlation between age, gender, and anthropometric measurements on simple visual and auditory RT.

Study of impact of transcendental meditation on reaction time and cardiovascular parameters in young healthy volunteers

Background: Transcendental meditation technique is purported to help treat high blood pressure, chronic pain, insomnia, and many other physical ailments. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of transcendental meditation on reaction time and cardiovascular parameters in young healthy volunteers.Methods: In this single centre, randomized, controlled study, 120 1st year M.B.B.S and OTPT students were recruited and put into two groups [control (60), experiment (60)]. Simple Auditory Reaction Time (ART) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT), along with Heart Rate (HR) and Blood Pressure (BP), of all subjects were recorded and compared. The experimental group participated in 16 weeks of TM programme and performed TM twice in a day, for 20 minutes, sitting comfortably with eyes closed and chanting OM. Control group were only made to sit with eyes closed during the same time. Keeping all the variables constant, all the parameters were measured again after 16 weeks.Results: There was significant reduction in all parameters (ART, VRT, HR, systolic BP and diastolic BP) in experimental group after 16 weeks of TM as compared to control group. ART was significantly shorter than VRT in both experimental and control groups and this difference was maintained after the intervention also.Conclusions: Transcendental meditation is an effective technique for reducing cardiovascular risk and can be prescribed to pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients for stress reduction, along with medications for better results.

Comparative Study Of Visual Reaction Time And Field Of Vision In Deaf Children With Normal Children

With auditory deprivation the visual senses are enhanced in the deaf children. The visual reaction time is measured by response analyzer and the field of vision is tested by Priestly-Smith's perimeter in the deaf children and compared with the normal hearing children in the age group of 8-16 years. The results showed significant increase in the VRTand field of vision in the deaf children as compared to the normal children. Early deafness is responsible for processing the visual stimuli in auditory cortex due to plasticity of neuronal cells in the auditory cortex. The deaf depend on the visual stimuli to judge three dimensional objects as well as to moving stimuli in the periphery. The deaf children show faster VRT and widening of field of vision due to continuous training by sign language. Visual experiences to the deaf children improve the neuronal circuitry involved thus providing evidence of auditory plasticity.

Reaction Time and Academic Performance: An Association to Determine The Cognitive Status of First Year Medical Students

Background: Reaction time a pshychomotor test is widelyused in cognitive neuroscience. cognitive functions of humanbrain includes eg. attention, perception, memory, intelligencyetc., all these affect the academics performance, learning,mental processing and motor performance. Reaction time asimple test can measures the time of mental informationprocessing and motor response to it .The mental processingtime is a main factor to affect the academics performance.Aim: To find the relation between audio-visual reaction timeand academic performance for assessing the cognitive statusof first year medical students.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study wasconducted in the Department of Physiology, RUHS College ofMedical Sciences, Jaipur from January 2018 to March 2018. Atotal of 64 first year MBBS healthy medical students of agegroup 18-20 years were enrolled in this study (males-36,females-28). The test was performed on Audio Visual ReactionTime (AVRT) machine of Medisystems by pressing the switchas soon as she/he saw the light for VRT or heard the sound forART. Measurement of academic performance was assessedby their performance in the first MBBS university exam.Students with a history of hearing or visual disorder wereexcluded from the study. The Reaction time for both visual andauditory and academic performance was compared betweenthe two groups and correlated the audio-visual reaction timewith the academic performance in both male and females.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS softwareversion 20.Results: The VRT is (0.71ms) faster than ART (1.63ms). TheRT was not significantly difference in males when compared tofemales and academic performance was significantly more infemales 393.11±40.93 compared to male 368.56±28.87 withp=0.003 and there was a non-significant, weak negativecorrelation of the RT with the academic performance with VRT(r = −0.040, P = 0.75) and ART (r = −0.071, P = 0.57).Conclusion: The RT is shorter in students with high academicperformance and longer in students with low academicperformance.

Visual Reaction Time And Visual Anticipation Time Between Athletes And Non-Athletes

@#An experimental investigation was conducted to explore visual reaction time and visual anticipation time between athletes and non-athletes. These visual perceptual skills form the base for cognitive processes required by the brain to respond instantaneously to a stimulus. A total of 228 adolescents, equally distributed between athletes and non-athletes, aged 13 to 16 years (mean age 14.69 ± 0.99 years) were examined. The visual reaction time and visual anticipation time were measured using a Lafayette Reaction Timer (Model 63035) and Bassin Anticipation Timer (Model 35575) respectively. The visual reaction time results revealed that athletes have faster reaction time scores as compared to non-athletes, whereas with visual anticipation time, athletes had fewer errors and a higher consistency compared to non-athletes. There was, however, no interaction between gender and sports participation noted for both these visual perceptual skills. These research findings indicate that gender was not an obstacle in sports participation, therefore not limiting the potential to excel in sports performance. Knowledge gained from these research findings will benefit the sports industry, specifically in athletic and sports training as well as provide a basis for the identification of an individual’s potential in their sports.

A Simple Sensitive Method for Measuring Borderline Mental Fatigue.

Mental fatigue [MF] is a critical condition that can accompany cognitive dysfunction. Various surveys have been used to determine the MF state. However, differences in participants' perception levels' can decrease' survey specificity, which therefore should be supported using objective methods. This study describes a new and simple MF scale based on evaluating results from the Piper Fatigue Scale [PFS], together with the results for reaction times. In the study, 29 healthy, right-handed, male, medical student volunteers were included. Attending a theoretical class for 4 hours was used as the MF model. PFS was applied before and after the MF model to determine their levels of vulnerability to fatigue and perception of fatigue qualitatively. The finger tapping test [FTT] and simple and complex visual reaction time [VRT] tests were used to determine physical fatigue and MF quantitatively. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-fatigue PFS scores or FTT and simple VRT results [p=0.531, p=0.160, p=0.065, respectively]. However, the complex VRT was significantly longer after the MF model [p<0.05]. This study showed that borderline MF, which cannot be determined by the PFS alone, might be accomplished when tested with the complex VRT test that keeps participants in a vigilant state.

Influence of Body Mass Index on Visual Reaction Time: A Cross-sectional Analytical Study.

Aims: To determine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT) in medical students. Study Design: Cross-sectional Analytical Study Place and Duration of Study: Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia, between October 2014 and November 2014. Methodology: We included 112 students (47 men, 65 women; age range 17-27 years) without medical conditions including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes, which are known to affect cognitive function. Students were asked to complete a standard questionnaire before having their height measured using calibrated measuring tape in Frankfort plane, recorded to nearest 1cm and their weight measured using electronic weighing balance, recorded to nearest 0.1 kg. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using Quatelet Index, and categorized using Asian BMI. Visual Reaction Time (VRT) was recorded using validated Human Benchmark program. Results: Significant difference was seen in different groups in BMI, namely underweight, normal and overweight, with respect to visual reaction time. The other variables such as gender, ethnicity, caffeine consumption, fatigue level, exercise and handedness are not significantly associated with VRT. Conclusion: Underweight individuals have been shown to have prolonged median visual reaction time as compared to their normal and overweight BMI counterparts. Further study on this is needed as BMI may not correlate well with the body fat composition of subjects, for which we propose further study to use waist-hip ratio instead.

To study the effect of Yoga Training on auditory and visual reaction time.

Reaction time is the easiest methods of assessing the sensory and motor performance of an individual. It is an indicator of performance in surgeons, sports personnel etc. Yoga can improve the reaction time. Hence, this study was undertaken to study the effect of yoga training on visual and auditory reaction time. Fifty healthy subjects aged between 18 and 25 years were selected. Auditory reaction time and visual reaction time were assessed before and after yoga training. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in the alert values of both Auditory reaction time and Visual reaction time after two months of yoga training. Yoga training enhances the reaction times which are helpful in surgeons, sportsmen and skilled workers.

Comparison of Visual and Auditory Reaction Time of Hand and Foot in Young Adults Before and After Physical Training.

Present study was conducted to compare Visual Reaction Time (VRT) and Auditory Reaction Time (ART) of hand & foot in young adults before and after physical training. VRT & ART in milliseconds was determined with the help of “Response Analyzer” in 87 males and 13 females in the age group 17 to 25 years before and after physical training and compared. Both VRT & ART was significantly decreased in all four limbs after physical training of 6 months.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Auditory and Visual Reaction Times: A Prospective Study.

Physical exercise provides multiple benefits to an individual. However, the beneficial effect of exercise on psychomotor performance remains controversial. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT). Fifty subjects were enrolled consisting of healthy subjects who were not exercising (n=25; group I) and subjects doing regular aerobic exercisers (n=25; group II). ART and VRT were recorded using digital display response time apparatus equipped with three lights (red, green and yellow) and three auditory stimuli (low, medium and high pitched sounds). The mean VRT of group II subjects (318.24±6.709) was significantly lower than that of group I (505.73±16.961) (P<0.001). The mean ART of group II subjects (313.33±8.160) was significantly lower than that of group I (573.09±17.950) (P<0.001). Auditory and visual reaction times are better in aerobic exercisers as compared to non-exercisers irrespective of age and gender.

Comparison of Visual and Auditory Reaction Time of Right and Left Side in Right Handed Young Adults.

Present study was conducted to compare Visual Reaction Time (VRT) & Auditory Reaction Time (ART) of right and left side in right handed young adults .VRT & ART of right hand and left hand and right foot and left foot in milliseconds was determined with the help of “Response Analyzer” in 87 males & 13 females in the age group 17 to 25 years and compared. VRT of right hand and right foot was significantly shorter than that of left hand and left foot and ART of right hand and right foot was significantly shorter than that of left hand and left foot.

Effect of age, gender and body mass index on visual and auditory reaction times in Indian population.

The effect of Age. Gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) on the Visual (VRT) and Auditory reaction time (ART) was studied in 30 males and 30 females in the age group of 18-20 years along with 30 males and 30 females in the age group of 65-75 years. Statistical analysis of the data by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc by Tukey-HSD test showed that BMI, VRT and ART were significantly higher in old than young individuals. Females had higher BMI and longer reaction times than males. There was significant positive correlation between BMI and reaction times (VRT and ART) in both males and females by Pearson correlation analysis. Older individuals should be more careful and vigilant about the injuries and falls due to increased reaction time. Longer reaction times and higher BMI in females could be attributed to fluid and salt retention due to female sex hormones affecting sensorimotor co-ordination.

Ageing & reaction time in indian population.

The effect of advancing age & gender on visual and auditory reaction time was evaluated in 320 normal Indian male & female volunteers in the age group of 21-60 years. The volunteers were divided in two groups according to age; Group A comprised of 200 volunteers (100 males & 100 females) in the age group of 21-45 years & Group B comprised of 120 volunteers (60 males & 60 females) in age group of 46 – 60 years. The auditory & visual reaction time was recorded using Techno Digital Response Time apparatus. Significant increase in visual reaction time and auditory reaction time was observed with the advancing age. In males, auditory reaction time increased by 22.6 msec & the visual reaction time for green & red light increased by 24.3 msec & 23.9 msec respectively from Group A to Group B. Similarly in females, the auditory reaction time lengthened by 24.4 msec while visual reaction time for green & red light increased by 28.6 msec & 27.1 msec respectively. The auditory reaction time was shorter in females in both the age groups, while visual reaction time was shorter in males in both the age groups. The results for change in auditory reaction time due to advancing age in males as well as females were significant (p<0.05). While the results for the effect of ageing on visual reaction time for red as well as the green light in males & females were significant(p <0.05).

A comparative study of visual reaction time in basketball players and healthy controls.

Introduction:-Reaction is purposeful voluntary response to different stimuli as visual or auditory stimuli. The present study was conducted to measure visual reaction time in 100 subjects, 50 basketball players and 50 healthy controls. Material & Method: - The visual reaction time was measured by the reaction time instrument in healthy controls and basketball players. Simple reaction time and choice reaction time measured. During the reaction time testing, visual stimuli were given for three times and minimum reaction time was taken as the final reaction time for that sensory modality of that subject. The results were statastically analyzed and were recorded as mean+ standard deviation and student’s unpaired t-test was applied to check the level of significance. Result:- The study shows that basketball players shows faster reaction time than healthy controls. Conclusion: - As reaction time gives the information how fast a person gives a response to sensory stimuli, it is a good indicator of performance in reactive sports like basketball.

Effect of shift working on reaction time in hospital employees.

Visual and Auditory reaction time (VRT, ART) were studied in 286 hospital employees during day duty and night duty in the age group of 20 to 60 years to find out the effect of shift working on reaction time in hospital employees. Subjects were presented with two visual stimuli i.e. red and green light and two auditory stimuli i.e. high pitch and low pitch sound stimuli. The significance of difference of VRT and ART during day duty and night duty was studied with the use of standard error of difference between two means. The statistical difference was determined by ‘z’ test. VRT during day duty (231.60±30.93) were less than VRT during night duty (234.98±32.27) and ART during day duty (224.69±46.95) were also less than ART during night duty (228.74±47.01). Our results indicate that reaction time is more during night duty as compared to day duty but the difference is not significant. It may be because of hospital employees get adapted to reduced sleep after working continuously in the shift system.