Perceived Stress and Executive Functioning Assessed by Colour Trail Test in Normal Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Eastern India
Sibasis Roy, Rajarshi Chakravarty, Supartha Barua, Debjani Baral, Purbasha Sengupta
Author(s)Abstract
Background: Perceived stress is known to influence executive cognitive functions, particularly attention, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility. The Color Trail Test (CTT) is a culturally sensitive neuropsychological tool widely used to assess these domains. However, data examining the relationship between perceived stress and CTT performance in normal Indian adults remain limited. The aim is to assess perceived stress levels in a normal adult population and examine their relationship with executive functioning as measured by the Color Trail Test. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 136 healthy adults recruited from a tertiary care setting. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Executive functioning was evaluated using the Color Trail Test, including CTT-1, CTT-2, wrong attempts, difference score, proportion score, and ratio score. Socio demographic variables were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Group differences were assessed using t-tests and ANOVA, and relationships between perceived stress and CTT parameters were examined using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: The mean PSS score was 21.28 ± 5.98, indicating moderate perceived stress. Female participants reported significantly higher perceived stress than males (p = 0.008). Significant differences in PSS scores were observed across religious groups (p = 0.003). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between PSS scores and CTT-2 time, CTT difference score, proportion score, and ratio score, suggesting poorer executive performance with higher perceived stress. No significant association was found between PSS and CTT-1 time or wrong attempts. Conclusion: Perceived stress is significantly associated with higher-order executive dysfunction as assessed by complex Color Trail Test parameters in healthy adults. These findings highlight the subtle impact of perceived stress on executive control even in non-clinical populations.
Keywords: Perceived stress, executive function, Color Trail Test, normal population, psychiatry.