Cognitive performance and Heart rate variability: The influence of menstrual cycle in young subjects

Abstract

Menstrual cycle characterized by various dynamic alterations in sex steroidal hormones not only alters the reproductive organs but also various systemic organs and hence higher functions are one among them. This study is an attempt to determine the influence of various hormones on cognitive function using short term heart rate variability analysis in different phases of menstrual cycle. Thirty participants were subjected for the baseline recording of HRV and psychomotor vigilance test and short term memory test along with HRV recording in three subsequent numbers of times to study variations in three different phases of menstrual cycle . Both time domain and frequency domain parameters were studied during resting state and while performing psychomotor vigilance test and short term memory test. The time domain and frequency domain parameters on comparison with resting state to during psychomotor vigilance test and short term memory test parameters were statistically insignificant in all three phases recorded. Unlikely on comparison of heart rate variability parameters both times domain and frequency domain values of RRI, RMSSD and LF (nu) values were statistically significant across the different phases suggesting upper hand of sympathetic tone. The present study indicated increased sympathetic discharge during follicular phase on comparison to luteal and menstrual phase. The results also indicated a change in cognitive functioning during different phases due to hormonal variations.