Final Examination Stress and Bowel Symptoms
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorLokman Hekim University
About this trial
This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between final examination stress and bowel symptoms in university students. Participants will be evaluated during the final examination period, which represents a naturally occurring period of increased academic stress. Bowel-related symptoms, including constipation-related complaints, defecation-related pain, stool characteristics, and urgency, will be assessed. Participants will also complete a 7-day diary to record bowel characteristics and selected lifestyle factors, including sleep duration, daily step count, and fluid intake. These factors will be examined as potential variables associated with bowel symptoms during the examination period.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Being 18 years of age or older
Being an undergraduate university student
Being enrolled in courses with final examinations during the study period
Being able to complete the study assessments and the 7-day follow-up diary during the final examination period
Disqualifiers
Having a diagnosed organic gastrointestinal disease that may substantially affect bowel function, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or gastrointestinal malignancy
Having a history of major gastrointestinal or pelvic surgery that may affect bowel function
Regular use of medications that directly affect bowel motility, such as laxatives or antidiarrheal medications
Having an acute gastrointestinal infection, including acute diarrhea or vomiting, during the assessment period
Trial population
The study population will consist of undergraduate university students aged 18 years or older who are enrolled in courses with final examinations during the study period. Eligible students who meet the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and voluntarily agree to participate will be included in the study. Participants will be evaluated during the final examination period, which represents a naturally occurring period of academic stress. During this period, bowel-related symptoms and selected lifestyle factors, including sleep duration, daily step count, and water intake, will be assessed. Participants will also complete a 7-day follow-up diary to record daily bowel characteristics and related symptoms.
Trial design
Design model
Other
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Observational Assessment During the Final Examination Period
Other interventionParticipants will complete assessments of bowel symptoms and a 7-day diary during the final examination period. The diary will include daily records of bowel-related symptoms, stool characteristics, fluid intake, step count, and sleep duration. No treatment, medication, exercise program, or other therapeutic intervention will be administered.
Treatment groups
100 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: University Students During the Final Examination Period1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Constipation-Related Bowel Symptoms
Constipation-related bowel symptoms will be assessed using Rome IV-based questions. The assessment (Rome IV criterias) will include defecation frequency, painful or difficult defecation, large-diameter stools, stool withholding behaviors, sensation of a large fecal mass in the rectum, fecal incontinence, and duration of symptoms.
Time frame
BaselineSecondary outcomes
1
Defecation-Related Pain
Participants will record the presence or absence of pain during defecation each day. When pain is present, its location (abdominal or anal region) and intensity will also be recorded. Pain intensity will be rated on a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
Time frame
Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period2
Defecation Urgency
Participants will record the severity of urgency to defecate each day as mild, moderate, or severe.
Time frame
Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period3
Stool Type
Participants will record their daily stool type according to the stool form chart provided in the study diary.
Time frame
Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period4
Daily Step Count
Daily step count will be recorded using data obtained from participants' personal smartphones, smartwatches, or other step-counting devices. The mean daily step count across the 7-day monitoring period will also be calculated and evaluated as a lifestyle-related factor potentially associated with bowel symptoms.
Time frame
Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination periodLocations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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