Title Autonomic stress response of physiotherapy student in the different scenarios of an objective structured clinical examination.
Author Martinez-Pascual, Beatriz; Ramirez-Adrados, Ana; Fernandez-Martinez, Silvia; Gonzalez-de-Ramos, Cristina; Fernandez-Elias, Valentin E; Clemente-Suarez, Vicente J
Journal BMC Med Educ Publication Year/Month 2022-Nov
PMID 36434652 PMCID PMC9694562
Affiliation + expend 1.Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo street, s/n, Madrid, 28670, Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain.

The aim of the present research was to analyse modifications in the autonomic stress response of Physiotherapy students undergoing a 12-scenario Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE). A total of 86 last year students of the Physiotherapy bachelor\'s degree (27.29 years (SD = 6.66); 36 females and 50 males) randomly assigned were monitored during the complete OSCE to measure heart rate variability (HRV) in temporal, frequency, and non-linear domains. The HRV analysed showed a large anticipatory stress response of students maintained during the entire evaluation. The stress response varied regarding OSCE station complexity and demands and the highest sympathetic response was not found in higher emotional scenarios.The autonomic modulation monitoring allows teachers to design OSCE scenarios more adapted to the students, limiting the effect of the stress response to allow a better performance.

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