Neurocognitive Performance in Public Officials

NCT07650890 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ID_M_003
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Public employees are exposed to varying levels of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial demands depending on the nature of their duties. In particular, armed public employees work under conditions that require rapid responses to environmental stimuli, effective use of attentional processes, and accurate decision-making within a limited time. These occupational demands may influence reaction time, neurocognitive performance, quality of life, and activity-role balance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the neurocognitive performance of armed and unarmed public employees. A total of 82 public employees, including 41 armed and 41 unarmed participants, were included in the study. Reaction time performance was assessed using the Light Trainer system. Neurocognitive performance was evaluated using the Stroop Test and the Digit Span Test. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and activity-role balance was evaluated using the Activity Role Balance Questionnaire.

Conditions

Performance; Reaction Time

Keywords

Neurocognitive performance; public employees; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle Reaction Time

  Light Trainer® system, which consists of a wireless lighting system with LED pods and a central controller. The participants were seated with their hands on the table, 40 cm apart, palms down, and elbows at 90°. The Light Trainer was positioned centrally 20 cm away from each hand. When the pod was illuminated, the participants were instructed to turn off the light as quickly as possible by touching it. Light activation was randomized to avoid predictability, requiring participants to respond based on light cues each time. In the first task, the participants used their dominant hand to turn off the light as quickly as possible. In the second task, they responded to a light signal by deactivating a predetermined light from two different colors using their dominant hand. Scale Range: No minimum or maximum value in milliseconds (lower time is better). Interpretation: Lower reaction times signify better outcomes, as they reflect faster muscle response to visual stimuli.

  Baseline (single assessment)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Digit Span Test Performance

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Stroop Test Performance

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Quality of Life (SF-36)

  Baseline (single assessment)

• Activity-Role Balance Questionnaire

  Baseline (single assessment)

Study Arms (2)

Armed Public Officials

Public officials who are legally authorized to carry firearms as part of their occupational duties.

Unarmed Public Officials

Public officials who are not authorized to carry firearms as part of their occupational duties.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of full-time public officials aged 25-35 years who have been actively employed in public service for at least three years. Participants will be categorized into two groups according to their occupational firearm-carrying status: armed public officials and unarmed public officials.

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 25 and 35 years.
• Actively employed as a public official for at least 3 years.
• A score of 26 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
• Currently employed full-time.
• Able to understand and speak Turkish.
• Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder.
• History of traumatic brain injury or severe head trauma within the past 6 months.
• Presence of an orthopedic condition or injury that may affect upper or lower extremity function.
• Presence of visual, auditory, or other sensory impairments that may interfere with test performance.
• Current use of medications or history of substance use that may affect cognitive performance.
• Previous exposure to or administration of the neurocognitive tests used in this study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Atlas University: lead

Study Sites (1)

AtLAs Universty

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2026
• First Posted: June 16, 2026
• Study Start: November 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: June 11, 2026
• Last Updated: June 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)