Examining Executive Functions in Medical Students Across Different Types of Study Breaks
New York Institute of Technology
Summary
This study aims to expand on previous findings and compare the effects of an active break (ten minutes of walking or upper body movement), a digital break (ten minutes of phone use), and no break on memory and attention in medical students after a prolonged period of studying. The List Learning Task, Stroop Test, and Sustained Attention to Response Task will be administered to measure memory, executive function, and attention, respectively. Information on how different types of breaks affect memory and attention may prompt medical students to be more mindful and intentional of the way they spend their time in between studying.
Description
120 people will be recruited. Following consent procedures, those who choose to participate will be randomized to physical intervention, digital intervention or control. 40 will be randomly selected to be in the active physical break group, another 40 participants will selected to be in the passive digital break group, and another 40 will be selected to be in the group without any break. All participants will complete a demographic form and a baseline Stroop and Sustained Attention to Response Task tests prior to starting the experiment. Next, participants in all three groups will self-study…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * have and regularly use some form of social media * able to perform light physical activity such as walking or upper body movement Exclusion Criteria: * no social media usage * color blindness (cognitive tests require color perception) * ADHD or other known conditions that affect attention and/or concentration, * current concussion * any condition that prevents upper or lower body physical activity.
Interventions
- BehavioralPhysical Activity Study Break
A 10-minute walking/upper extremity light movement indoor break from study session
- BehavioralSocial Media Study Break
Participants will engage in social media use/engagement during a 10-minute study session break
Location
- NYITOld Westbury, New York