Monthly fluctuation in task concentration in female college students

Area of Science:

• Cognitive psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human physiology

Background:

• Cognitive performance can fluctuate due to various physiological factors.
• The menstrual cycle is known to influence hormonal levels, potentially impacting cognitive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle on women's concentration accuracy.
• To compare the concentration abilities of women across different menstrual cycle phases with men.

Main Methods:

• 50 university women with regular menstrual cycles and 50 male undergraduates completed Golden's Stroop color-word test weekly for four weeks.
• A split-plot analysis of variance was used to analyze the Stroop test scores.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in Stroop test performance were found based on test sequence, measures used, and sex.
• Women's concentration accuracy peaked at midcycle and declined as menstruation approached.
• Women demonstrated significantly higher accuracy on the Stroop test compared to men.

Conclusions:

• Concentration levels in women vary significantly throughout the menstrual cycle, with a notable decrease in the late luteal phase.
• Sex differences exist in Stroop test performance, with women generally outperforming men.