Association between Quality of Sleep and Academic Performance in Medical Students: A Preliminary Study

Authors

  • K. Deepalakshmi1, S. Vijayabaskaran2, R. Thamaraiselvi R.3, R. Nagashree4

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1246

Keywords:

Sleep quality, academic performance, medical students

Abstract

Background: Medical students are more prone to daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation and irregular sleep
schedules, as they have less free time, longer courses and working hours compared to other professional
students.
Aim: To assess the quality of sleep and to find out the association between sleep quality and academic
performance among medical students.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted among 176 medical students. They were subjected
to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to assess their sleep quality over a one-month period.
A PSQI global score of 5 and greater than 5 was considered indicative of poor sleep. Academic performance
was assessed from their internal assessment scores conducted during that period. The data was analyzed
using the unpaired students ‘t’ test and Pearson’s correlation test
Results: Our study included 176 students from all the phases of MBBS curriculum. 24 percentage students
had poor quality of sleep. In our study, there was no statistically significant difference in the performance
of good sleepers (57.94 ±18.06) and poor sleepers (58.80 ±17.37) with a p value of 0.785. Our study results
showed a negative correlation between global PSQI scores and assessment scores of the students (r = 0.57
and P =0.449).
Conclusion: In our study association between sleep quality and academic performance was not statistically
significant. Assessment of sleep quality helps to indentify the students at risk and plan the specific programs
to improve the quality of sleep.

Author Biography

  • K. Deepalakshmi1, S. Vijayabaskaran2, R. Thamaraiselvi R.3, R. Nagashree4

    1Associate Professor, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and
    Research, Coimbatore, 3Tutor, Department of Physiology, Stanley Government Medical College, Chennai,
    4Professor, Department of Physiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore

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Published

2020-04-29

How to Cite

Association between Quality of Sleep and Academic Performance in Medical Students: A Preliminary Study. (2020). International Journal of Physiology, 8(2), 73-76. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i2.1246