Final Examination Stress and Bowel Symptoms

NCT07838259 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-FG
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between final examination stress and bowel symptoms in university students. Participants will be evaluated during the final examination period, which represents a naturally occurring period of increased academic stress. Bowel-related symptoms, including constipation-related complaints, defecation-related pain, stool characteristics, and urgency, will be assessed. Participants will also complete a 7-day diary to record bowel characteristics and selected lifestyle factors, including sleep duration, daily step count, and fluid intake. These factors will be examined as potential variables associated with bowel symptoms during the examination period.

Conditions

Bowel Symptoms; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Keywords

University Students; Final Examination; Exam Stress; Bowel Habits; Defecation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Constipation-Related Bowel Symptoms

  Constipation-related bowel symptoms will be assessed using Rome IV-based questions. The assessment (Rome IV criterias) will include defecation frequency, painful or difficult defecation, large-diameter stools, stool withholding behaviors, sensation of a large fecal mass in the rectum, fecal incontinence, and duration of symptoms.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Defecation-Related Pain

  Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period

• Defecation Urgency

  Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period

• Stool Type

  Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period

• Daily Step Count

  Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period

• Sleep Duration

  Daily for 7 consecutive days during the final examination period

Study Arms (1)

University Students During the Final Examination Period

University students who meet the eligibility criteria and participate in the study during the final examination period will constitute a single observational cohort. Participants will undergo assessment of bowel symptoms and related lifestyle factors during the study period. No allocation or randomization will be performed.

Other: Observational Assessment During the Final Examination Period

Interventions

Observational Assessment During the Final Examination Period OTHER

Participants will complete assessments of bowel symptoms and a 7-day diary during the final examination period. The diary will include daily records of bowel-related symptoms, stool characteristics, fluid intake, step count, and sleep duration. No treatment, medication, exercise program, or other therapeutic intervention will be administered.

University Students During the Final Examination Period

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

The study population will consist of undergraduate university students aged 18 years or older who are enrolled in courses with final examinations during the study period. Eligible students who meet the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and voluntarily agree to participate will be included in the study. Participants will be evaluated during the final examination period, which represents a naturally occurring period of academic stress. During this period, bowel-related symptoms and selected lifestyle factors, including sleep duration, daily step count, and water intake, will be assessed. Participants will also complete a 7-day follow-up diary to record daily bowel characteristics and related symptoms.

You may qualify if:

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Being an undergraduate university student
• Being enrolled in courses with final examinations during the study period
• Being able to complete the study assessments and the 7-day follow-up diary during the final examination period
• Being able to read and understand Turkish
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Having a diagnosed organic gastrointestinal disease that may substantially affect bowel function, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or gastrointestinal malignancy
• Having a history of major gastrointestinal or pelvic surgery that may affect bowel function
• Regular use of medications that directly affect bowel motility, such as laxatives or antidiarrheal medications
• Having an acute gastrointestinal infection, including acute diarrhea or vomiting, during the assessment period
• Failing to adequately complete the study assessments or the 7-day follow-up diary

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lokman Hekim University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Constipation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2026
• First Posted: September 24, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09