Original Research

Correlation between Heart Rate Variability and Intelligence Quotient in Medical Students of Pakistan: An Exploratory Study

Hifza Noor Lodhi1
Rashid Latif Khan University Medical College Lahore
Athar Abdullah Baig2
The Central Park Medical College Lahore,
MehruNisa2
The Central Park Medical College Lahore,
Faheem Mehmood1
Rashid Latif Khan University Medical College Lahore
Waleed Younas3
House Officer at Arif Memorial Hospital Lahore
Naureen Omar1
Rashid Latif Khan University Medical College Lahore

✉ Correspondence: Hifza Noor Lodhi Email: noor.musa.burki@gmail.com

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v5i4.2470
Volume: 5, Issue 4 Pages: 711–715 Published: 09 Dec 2024
Received: 25 Mar 2024 Accepted: 02 Nov 2024 Published Online: 09 Dec 2024

Abstract

Objective

To determine a correlation between autonomic systemic variability through measurement of time Domain
HRV and intelligence quotient (high and average IQ) of medical college students.

Methodology

It was a cross sectional study conducted at The Central Park Medical College Lahore. A total of 34 MBBS
students participated. Modified Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) was used to calculate the IQ of students.
Assessment of autonomic function was done by determination of HRV through variables of time-domain using Lab Chart
version 8.0 with HRV module installed. It utilized Data Acquisition System with application of ECG two limb leads.
Mann-Whitney U test used to compare median values. Spearman's correlation was used to find any correlation.

Results

In our study population RMSDD, SDRR and pRR50% were compared with reference values and it was observed
that our study population HRV Indices were much higher than the reference values, but the difference did not reach
significance. No correlation was found between HRV of average and high IQ medical students.

Conclusion

Time domain of Heart rate variability was much higher in the medical students as compared to the reference
values, but it did not reach statistical significance when compared between average and high IQ students.

Keywords
Heart rate variability Intelligence Quotient

How to Cite This Article

Lodhi HN, Baig AA, MehruNisa , Mehmood F, Younas W, Omar N. Correlation between Heart Rate Variability and Intelligence Quotient in Medical Students of Pakistan: An Exploratory Study. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2024;5(4):711–715. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v5i4.2470

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Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

Data Availability

Data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Statement

This study was approved by Institutional Review Board, Central Park Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. Approval number: CPMC/IRB-NO/1392, dated 14-03-2023.

Conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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