Probiotic Supplement Preparation Relieves Test Anxiety by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota in College Students. (21st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qin, Qi; Liu, Hui; Yang, Yulu; Wang, Yifei; Xia, Chaofei; Tian, Puyuan; Wei, Jing; Li, Shengjie; Chen, Tingtao
• Other Names: Su Ting Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Disease markers. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-21
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/5597401
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0240

Abstract

Abstract : Test anxiety creates barriers to learning and performance, which further affects students' social, behavioural, and emotional development. Currently, the medication to treat test anxiety has not been reported yet. Here, we enrolled 120 students to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplement preparation (PSP) on test anxiety from the aspect of the intestinal microbiota. We found that the intake of PSP alleviated the symptoms of depression and anxiety in students with test anxiety by evaluating their mental state using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. High-throughput sequencing results indicated that the consumption of PSP increased the abundance of Streptococcus and Akkermansia that was lowered by the anxiety state in the intestinal microbiota of students. Meanwhile, taking PSP reduced the level of intestinal pathogens of Fusobacterium and Clostridium as well. In conclusion, our work shows that PSP can reduce test anxiety and restore the disturbed microbiota to the standard level in Chinese college students, rendering the use of PSP a promising strategy for test anxiety.