Effect of types of stimuli, handedness and gender differences on reaction time among adults students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Study aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has unhinged the lives of people across the globe, in particular, university students who are home-schooling. No study has investigated the influence of specific parameters on reaction time (RT) among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aims to describe the relationship between RT and parameters (types of stimuli, handedness, and gender differences) that may affect its values during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and methods: RT of 60 volunteers to visual and auditory stimuli were recorded using the drop ruler method. RT was compared within-subject with respect to handedness and type of stimulus, and between subjects with regards to gender.

Results: Although a small difference between RT reported as a function of hands and gender was observed, these results were statistically insignificant. However, females had a significant shorter RT to visual than the auditory stimulus.

Conclusions: Findings showed that no significant differences were obtained between all comparisons made, except between females RT to visual stimulus and auditory stimulus. This can be attributed to the high level of stress and anxiety that may occur among students due to the COVID-19, which is the most prevalent and dangerous topic for university students, especially female students.