Heart rate variability and perception of mental stress among medical students and residents at an emergency department.
Am J Emerg Med
; 78: 12-17, 2024 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38181540
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
When Medical Residents (MR) and Medical Students (MS) are assigned to the demanding environment of an Emergency they inevitably encounter stress. The aims of this study are to measure short-term heart rate variability (HRV) before and after shifts, estimate perceived stress levels, and assess the recovery patterns after their shifts.METHODS:
We assessed HRV parameters in MS and MR using the wristband physiological monitor Polar® Verify Sense before and after day (DS) and night shifts (NS). Perceived stress levels were evaluated using the simplified State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S6) and the Subjective Units of Distress Scale.RESULTS:
This study included 60 participants of which 55% were female with a mean age of 26 years. MS presented significant reduction in sympathetic nervous system index after DS [0.68 (0.01-2.42) vs -0.22 (-0.75-1.13), p < 0.01] and NS [0.87 (-0.28-1.45) vs 0.06 (-0.70-1.04), p < 0.01], while MR maintained the same levels of sympathetic activity [DS 1.17 (0.04 -2.88) vs 0.93 (0.50-1.41), p = 0.14; NS 1.37 (0.76-2.21) vs 1.29 (0.35-2.18), p = 0.40]. Psychological data from STAI-S6 showed statistically significant differences when comparing before and after DS in both groups, with more perceived stress after than before DS (MS 12 ± 4 vs 14 ± 4, p = 0.04; MR 14 ± 4 vs 16 ± 4, p = 0.04), which was not observed at NS (MS 12 ± 3 vs 12 ± 3, p = 0.84; MR 15 ± 3 vs 15 ± 4, p = 0.40).CONCLUSIONS:
Short-term HRV recordings before and after day or night shifts among MR and MS revealed heightened sympathetic activity preceding each shift, with a more sustained increase observed in the MR population and more perceived stress after day shifts in both groups.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estudantes de Medicina
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Emerg Med
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article