Gait analysis of medical students under exam stress and the effects of wearing colored glasses on their gait

Introduction and Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of colored glasses on gait characteristics under stress conditions. Material and Methods: Participants were second-year medical students. Their stress levels were assessed using the visual analog scale. Blue and red Glofx Color Therapy Glasses© were used, along with a transparent control pair of glasses of the same dimensions. Participants walked on a gait analysis platform (Zebris©, FDM System Type FDM 1.5) while wearing glasses of different colors. Results: The mean visual analog scale score before the exam was 7.3±2.3, and after the exam, it was 3.5±2.5. The statistical comparison revealed a significant difference between the two VAS values (p=0.000). When gait parameters were compared before and after the exam, step length significantly decreased with blue glasses post-exam. Anterior-posterior positioning also significantly decreased when walking without glasses, and with transparent and blue glasses. Comparisons between different glasses conditions before the exam showed that double step time decreased when walking with transparent glasses compared to no glasses. After the exam, step length increased with transparent glasses compared to both red and blue glasses. Double step time and gait velocity decreased with transparent glasses compared to no glasses and red glasses. Cadence increased during walking with transparent glasses compared to walking without glasses. Conclusion: We found that step length decreased with blue glasses under low-stress conditions. Given the high contrast of the blue glasses compared to the others, we hypothesize that partial visual input was obstructed, leading to a more cautious gait pattern. In our gender-based findings, we observed that blue—symbolically associated with masculinity—resulted in faster gait in male participants. Additionally, visual field obstruction appeared to affect balance more in females than males, although females adapted more readily to this condition. Keywords: Colors, vision, stress, gait, anatomy