AnxietyNCT07654959
Test Anxiety on Bowel Health and Constipation in Students
An observational study of Anxiety and Bowel Habits, run by Lokman Hekim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anxiety, Bowel Habits, Constipation
- What is being tested?
- Observational assessment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Feb 2026to 25 Feb 2027
- Phase
- Observational
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
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.
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Ankara
Ankara, Ankara, 06510
Demet Öztürk, Phd, 05068394288, demett.ozturkk@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Test Anxiety on Bowel Health and Constipation in University Students
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.
Read the detailed description
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem that may affect quality of life, daily activities, and psychosocial well-being. University students may be particularly vulnerable to bowel habit changes during examination periods because of increased academic stress and test-related anxiety.
This study is designed as an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study. It will evaluate whether test anxiety is associated with bowel health indicators and constipation among university students during the final examination period. The study will be conducted at Lokman Hekim University with undergraduate students from the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
After providing informed consent, participants will complete self-report forms and questionnaires in a single face-to-face assessment session. The assessment will include questions about sociodemographic characteristics, bowel habits, bowel-related symptoms, constipation status, stool form, constipation severity, and test anxiety level. No intervention, treatment, randomization, or follow-up assessment will be performed.
The study is expected to provide information about the possible relationship between psychological stress related to examinations and bowel health in university students. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of stress-related bowel problems and may support future preventive approaches for young adults.
- Conditions
- Anxiety, Bowel Habits, Constipation
- Being tested
- Observational assessment
- Keywords
- Test anxiety, Examination stress, Bowel health, Rome IV criteria, University students
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders, Constipation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Observational assessmentOther
Participants completed assessment forms and diaries. No intervention was administered.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Other: Observational assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Constipation Status Assessed by the Rome IV Criteria
Constipation status will be assessed using the Rome IV criteria. This outcome will be reported as a binary classification: presence or absence of constipation. Participants will be classified as having constipation or not having constipation according to constipation-related symptoms, including reduced stool frequency, straining, hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, and need for manual maneuvers. The Rome IV criteria will not be reported as a scale score.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Constipation Severity Assessed by the Constipation Severity Instrument
Constipation severity will be assessed using the Constipation Severity Instrument. The scale includes 16 items and evaluates constipation-related symptoms across three subdomains: obstructive defecation, colonic inertia, and pain. The total score ranges from 0 to 73, with higher scores indicating more severe constipation symptoms.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Stool Form Assessed by the Bristol Stool Scale
Stool form will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale. The Bristol Stool Scale is a 7-point stool form classification scale ranging from Type 1 to Type 7. Type 1 indicates separate hard lumps, and Type 7 indicates watery stool with no solid pieces. Higher scores do not indicate a better or worse outcome; lower scores generally indicate harder stool forms, while higher scores indicate looser stool forms. Participants will be asked to select the stool type that best represents their most common stool form during the last week.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Test Anxiety Level Assessed by the Test Anxiety Inventory
Test anxiety level will be assessed using the Test Anxiety Inventory. The scale consists of 20 self-report items evaluating cognitive, emotional, and physiological symptoms of anxiety experienced before and during examinations. Total scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating higher test anxiety.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Bowel Habits and Bowel-Related Symptoms
Bowel habits and bowel-related symptoms will be assessed using a researcher-developed evaluation form. The form includes questions about stool frequency, postponement of defecation, perceived bowel health, preferred toilet type, and symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and constipation during the last week.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2026
- Study start25 Feb 2026
- Primary completion25 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lokman Hekim University
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Demet Öztürk, Lokman Hekim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07654959
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026032
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No