Researchers from IIT Bombay recently investigated the potential effects of the prevalent hormonal disorder Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) on a woman’s mind, specifically her attention span. Women with PCOS are known to experience concerns like irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and infertility. This endocrine abnormality is thought to affect more than 11 per cent of Indian women.
Its effects on the body and hormones have been extensively studied, but its potential effects on cognitive processes like attention span have received lesser attention. This new study is one of the first to look at the potential effects of PCOS on a woman's capacity to focus and pay attention. 173 women participated in the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC. Of those surveyed, 101 had a PCOS diagnosis, while 72 did not.
To gauge various forms of attention, the researchers employed two distinct tests:
• Focused attention: The capacity to ignore distractions and focus on a single task.
• Divided attention: The capacity to focus on several things at once.
Simple computer-based exercises were presented to participants in order to gauge their accuracy and speed in responding to specific stimuli.
According to the study, women with PCOS performed tasks requiring concentrated attention more slowly. They performed almost 100 milliseconds slower than they did in the split attention task, with an average reaction time of 557 milliseconds. Additionally, when asked to concentrate on a particular activity, they made a few more mistakes.
On the other hand, they demonstrated comparatively superior speed and accuracy in split attention activities, which necessitated multitasking. This simply implies that compared to women without PCOS, women with the condition may have a harder time focusing on a single job at a time. The variations weren't significant, but they were enough to imply that PCOS might subtly alter the way the brain handles attention.
Our everyday lives depend heavily on how we pay attention since it facilitates our ability to work, study, and communicate with others. Women with PCOS may have trouble focusing on things like studying, driving, or working in distracting situations if the disorder has even a modest impact on concentration.
This study broadens our understanding of PCOS. It indicates that the condition may affect cognitive processes in addition to hormonal and physical health. To find out why this occurs and whether PCOS therapy can also help with focus-related problems, more research is necessary.
Image source: Tosshub, Positive wellbeing psychology