Low visual information-processing speed and attention are predictors of fatigue in elementary and junior high school students
2011

Cognitive Predictors of Fatigue in Students

Sample size: 142 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mizuno Kei, Tanaka Masaaki, Fukuda Sanae, Yamano Emi, Shigihara Yoshihito, Imai-Matsumura Kyoko, Watanabe Yasuyoshi

Primary Institution: Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Can cognitive functions predict fatigue in elementary and junior high school students?

Conclusion

Reduced visual information-processing speed and poor attention are independent predictors of fatigue in elementary and junior high school students.

Supporting Evidence

  • 40 out of 118 students developed fatigue after one year.
  • Poorer performance on cognitive tests was linked to increased fatigue risk.
  • The study used a well-validated fatigue scale to measure outcomes.

Takeaway

If kids have trouble paying attention or processing what they see, they might get tired more easily.

Methodology

A prospective cohort study with cognitive tests and a fatigue questionnaire administered to students.

Limitations

The study had a limited number of participants and did not exclude developmental disabilities or assess socioeconomic status.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 142 elementary and junior high school students, aged 9 to 14 years, with a gender distribution of 53.4% female.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = .016 for symbol digit modalities test; p = .006 for task A reaction time

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 3.03 to 1.12 for symbol digit modalities test; 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.94 for task A

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1744-9081-7-20

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