Sleep, Mental Fatigue, and Performance in Students
Starting soon
Conditions studied: Mental Fatigue, Sleep and Circadian Problems
In brief
This observational, prospective, within-subject study will examine how the volume and timing of physiotherapy and psychology classes and exams at LUDES Institute influence mental fatigue, sleepiness, motivation, executive function, and physical performance in university students. Approximately 30 students aged 18 years or older will complete repeated assessments at baseline (no formal academic activities), during a regular theoretical class, and, when feasible, during an exam session. At each time point, participants will undergo non-invasive measurements including self-reported mental fatigue (visual analogue scale), sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), motivation (Motivational States Scale), cognitive performance (Encephalapp Stroop task), and handgrip strength and endurance with perceived exertion ratings, alongside sleep diaries and wrist actigraphy. The primary endpoint is the pre-to post-session change in mental fatigue and cognitive performance, with secondary endpoints capturing sleep and circadian metrics, physical performance, motivation, and exam grades. Mixed-effects models will be used to test how class/exam duration, time of day, sleep quantity and quality, and chronotype relate to psychobiological responses, with the goal of informing evidence-based scheduling and workload policies in health-profession education.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07644611
- Run by
- L.U.de.S. Sagl
- People needed
- 30
- Starts
- 2026-07-01
- Expected to finish
- 2027-02-20
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-06-17
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Enrolled as a physiotherapy or psychology student at LUDES Institute.
- Age 18 years or older at the time of consent.
- No self-reported major neurological disorders or conditions that would impair cognitive or physical testing.
- Self-reported clinical sleep disorders.
You may not qualify if…
- Use of psychostimulants (e.g., caffeine, energy drinks) before or during scheduled study sessions.
- Vigorous exercise prior to testing sessions.
- Melatonin intake.
- Recent travel involving more than 3 time zones or shift/part-time shift work.
- Absence from more than 25% of total scheduled lesson time
Where it is running
- LUDES - Istituto Universitario Professionale — Lugano, Canton Ticino, Switzerland
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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