Test Anxiety on Bowel Health and Constipation in Students

NCT07654959 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026032
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational cross-sectional study aims to examine the relationship between test anxiety, bowel health, and constipation in university students. The study will include undergraduate students aged 18 years and older who are studying in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Lokman Hekim University and who are in their final examination period. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires during a single face-to-face assessment session. Constipation status will be evaluated using the Rome IV criteria, stool form will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale, constipation severity will be assessed using the Constipation Severity Instrument, and test anxiety level will be assessed using the Test Anxiety Inventory. Sociodemographic characteristics and bowel-related symptoms will also be recorded. The study does not include any intervention or treatment. The findings are expected to help better understand whether test anxiety during examination periods is associated with bowel health problems and constipation in university students.

Conditions

Anxiety; Bowel Habits; Constipation

Keywords

Test anxiety; Examination stress; Bowel health; Rome IV criteria; University students

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Constipation Status Assessed by the Rome IV Criteria

  Constipation status will be assessed using the Rome IV criteria. Participants will be classified as having constipation or not having constipation according to the presence of constipation-related symptoms, including reduced stool frequency, straining, hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, and need for manual maneuvers.

  At a single assessment during the final examination period

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Constipation Severity Assessed by the Constipation Severity Instrument

  At a single assessment during the final examination period

• Stool Form Assessed by the Bristol Stool Scale

  At a single assessment during the final examination period

• Test Anxiety Level Assessed by the Test Anxiety Inventory

  At a single assessment during the final examination period

• Bowel Habits and Bowel-Related Symptoms

  At a single assessment during the final examination period

Study Arms (1)

University Students

Undergraduate students aged 18 years and older who are studying in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Lokman Hekim University and who are in their final examination period. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires assessing test anxiety, bowel habits, stool form, constipation status, and constipation severity during a single face-to-face assessment session.

Other: Observational assessment

Interventions

Observational assessment OTHER

Participants completed assessment forms and diaries. No intervention was administered.

University Students

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will include undergraduate Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students at Lokman Hekim University who are in their final examination period during the data collection process. Eligible participants will be 18 years of age or older, able to read and complete the self-report questionnaires independently, and willing to provide written informed consent.

You may qualify if:

• Being an undergraduate student in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Lokman Hekim University
• Being in the final examination period during the data collection process
• Having sufficient reading and comprehension skills to complete the questionnaires independently
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study after reading and signing the informed consent form

You may not qualify if:

• Having inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, colorectal cancer, or a history of major gastrointestinal surgery
• Having diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or another organic gastrointestinal disease
• Regular use of laxatives or medications that directly affect bowel movements, such as opioids
• Having neurological diseases that may affect bowel function, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or spinal cord injury
• Having had an acute gastrointestinal infection within the last month

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lokman Hekim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Ankara

Ankara, Ankara, 06510, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Constipation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Demet Öztürk, Phd

CONTACT

+905068394288; demett.ozturkk@gmail.com

Mustafa Sarı, Phd

CONTACT

+905068394288; mustafa.sari@lokmanhekim.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 12, 2026
• First Posted: June 17, 2026
• Study Start: February 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 25, 2027
• Last Updated: June 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)