Fasting in Ramadan Affects Cognitive and Physiological Function in Normal Subjects (Pilot Study)

Abstract

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on cognitive and physiological function in a group of healthy Muslim subjects. Methods: We measured demographic, physiological (blood pressure), and cognitive function including attention switching task (AST) and delayed matching to sample (DMS) using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) at two periods of the study (before Ramadan, at the second week in Ramadan) in 15 subjects. Results: During fasting, performance on the AST test improved significantly for switching cost (p = 0.030) and for congruent condition of AST task (p = 0.043), for diastolic pressure decreased (p = 0.069) in healthy subjects. There was no significant effect for incongruent condition and number of errors and percent to complete task for DMS test and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: The results suggest that Ramadan fasting is associated with significant changes in cognition, and causes a drop in diastolic blood pressure in healthy subject.