Impact of test anxiety on psychomotor functions and satisfaction with life of medical undergraduates during second professional curriculum

Background: Studies done in various countries have shown test anxiety to be associated with stress. An extensive internet search showed limited studies on stress in undergraduate medical students in India. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the level of test anxiety and its impact on psychomotor functions and satisfaction with life of second professional level of medical undergraduates during relaxed and stressed state. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on 101 participants in the 2nd and 3rd year of professional course. The participants were subjected to Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, Zung’s Self Rating Anxiety Scale, Satisfaction with life Score and Psychomotor tests (Digit Substitution, Digit Cancellation) during relaxed and stressed state. Results: 101 participants were enrolled in the study had a comparable scores in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, Zung’s Self Rating Anxiety Scale, Satisfaction with life Score, during relaxed and stressed state, but there was a statistically significant (p 0.05) decrease in both Digit Substitution and Digit Cancellation test during stressed state. Conclusion: Findings in our study indicate that performance on psychomotor tests during examination decreased significantly and had comparable anxiety and satisfaction levels during the relaxed and stressed state.