sredobЗдоровье населения и среда обитания – ЗНиСОPublic Health and Life Environment – PH&LE2219-52382619-0788ФБУЗ ФЦГиЭ Роспотребнадзора10.35627/2219-5238/2026-34-6-59-66sredob-2942Research ArticleГИГИЕНА ДЕТЕЙ И ПОДРОСТКОВPEDIATRIC HYGIENEВлияние стресса, вызванного пандемией COVID-19, на усвоение учебного материала студентами-медикамиImpact of Stress Induced by the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Student Learninghttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-6170-5754КарпиковаА. В.KarpikovaA. V.

Карпикова Анастасия Витальевна – студентка  Медицинского института

ул. Победы, д. 85, г. Белгород, 308015 

Anastasia V. Karpikova, student, Medical Institute

1804140@bsuedu.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9511-6895ЕлыковаА. В.ElykovaA. V.

Елыкова Анна Владимировна, канд. биол. наук, доцент кафедры медико-биологических дисциплин Медицинского института

ул. Победы, д. 85, г. Белгород, 308015 

Anna V. Elykova, Cand. Sci. (Biol.); Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Disciplines, Medical Institute 

elykova_a@bsuedu.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7729-1465ТополИ. А.TopolI. A.

Топол Инна Александровна, канд. биол. наук; доцент кафедры медико-биологических дисциплин Медицинского института 

ул. Победы, д. 85, г. Белгород, 308015 

Inna A. Topol, Cand. Sci. (Biol.); Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Disciplines, Medical Institute 

topol@bsuedu.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0228-3513ПоляковаИ. С.PolyakovaI. S.

Полякова Ирина Сергеевна, канд. биол. наук, доцент кафедры медико-биологических дисциплин Медицинского института

ул. Победы, д. 85, г. Белгород, 308015 

Irina S. Polyakova, Cand. Sci. (Biol.); Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Disciplines, Medical Institute 

polyakovairina@bsuedu.ruФГАОУ ВО «Белгородский государственный национальный исследовательский университет»РоссияBelgorod State National Research UniversityRussian Federation2026080720263465966Copyright © Карпикова А.В., Елыкова А.В., Топол И.А., Полякова И.С., 20262026Карпикова А.В., Елыкова А.В., Топол И.А., Полякова И.С.Karpikova A.V., Elykova A.V., Topol I.A., Polyakova I.S.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://zniso.fcgie.ru/jour/article/view/2942Введение

Введение. Пандемия COVID-19 стала серьезным испытанием для образовательных систем. Актуальность исследования связана с необходимостью понимания долгосрочных последствий пандемического стресса для профессио­нального становления медицинских кадров.

Цель исследования

Цель исследования: провести комплексный анализ влияния стресса, связанного с пандемией COVID-19, на когнитивные функции и академическую успеваемость студентов-медиков.

Материалы и методы

Материалы и методы. В период с сентября 2022 года по май 2023 года обследовано 150 студентов 2–3-х курсов (19–21 год). Основную группу составили 100 студентов, обучавшихся в пик пандемии (2020–2021), контрольную – 50 студентов, поступивших после нормализации обстановки. Использованы шкалы PSS-10, HADS, авторская анкета стрессогенных факторов, нейропсихологические тесты, анализ успеваемости.

Результаты

Результаты. Высокий уровень стресса (PSS-10 ≥ 20) выявлен у 78 % студентов основной группы против 35 % в контроле (p < 0,001). Клиническая тревога – у 42 % против 18 % (p < 0,001). Доминирующими стрессорами стали профессиональные (4,2 ± 0,7 балла) и академические (3,9 ± 0,8). В основной группе отмечено снижение кратковременной памяти на 25,6 % (p < 0,001), ухудшение концентрации внимания на 66,7 % (p < 0,001) и снижение продуктивности логического мышления на 22,0 % (p < 0,001). Средний балл успеваемости в основной группе составил 3,8 ± 0,4 против 4,5 ± 0,3 в контроле (p < 0,001). Выявлена сильная отрицательная корреляция стресса с успеваемостью (r = –0,74).

Выводы

Выводы. Пандемия COVID-19 привела к значительному росту стресса и тревоги у студентов-медиков, а также к стойким нарушениям когнитивных функций и снижению академической успеваемости, что требует разработки программ психолого-педагогического сопровождения. 

Introduction

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious challenge to educational systems worldwide. The relevance of this study is determined by the need to understand long-term effects of pandemic stress on the professional development of medical workers.

Objective

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of COVID-19-related stress on the cognitive functions and academic performance of medical students.

Materials and Methods

Materials and Methods: From September 2022 to May 2023, we conducted a survey of 150 second and third-year medical university students aged 19–21 years. The main (experimental) group consisted of 100 students who studied during the peak of the pandemic (2020–2021), while the control group comprised 50 students who entered the university after the epidemiological situation had normalized. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), our self-developed questionnaire on stress factors, neuropsychological tests, and the analysis of academic performance were used.

Results

Results: High stress levels (PSS-10 ≥ 20) were detected in 78 % of the students in the main group against 35 % in the control group (p < 0.001) while clinical anxiety was observed in 42 % versus 18 %, respectively (p < 0.001). The dominant stressors were professional (4.2 ± 0.7 points) and academic (3.9 ± 0.8 points). In the main group, short-term memory decreased by 25.6 % (p < 0.001), attentional concentration worsened by 66.7 % (p < 0.001), and logical thinking productivity dropped by 22.0 % (p < 0.001). The mean grade point average (GPA) in the main group was 3.8 ± 0.4 versus 4.5 ± 0.3 in the controls (p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was found between stress and academic performance (r = –0.74).

Conclusion

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in stress and anxiety among medical students, as well as to persistent impairments in cognitive functions and a decline in academic performance, which necessitates the development of psychological and pedagogical support programs. 

COVID-19стрессстуденты-медикикогнитивные функциидистанционное обучениевысшее медицинское образованиепсихологическая адаптация.COVID-19stressmedical studentscognitive functionsdistance learninghigher medical educationpsychological adaptationReferencesBadillo-Sánchez N, Gómez-Salgado J, Allande-Cussó R, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(2):e40797. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040797Badillo-Sánchez N, Gómez-Salgado J, Allande-Cussó R, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(2):e40797. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040797Sahu P. Closure of universities due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact on education and mental health of students and academic staff. Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7541. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7541Sahu P. Closure of universities due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact on education and mental health of students and academic staff. Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7541. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7541Roberts BL, Karatsoreos IN. Brain-body responses to chronic stress: А brief review. Fac Rev. 2021;10:83. doi: 10.12703/r/10-83Roberts BL, Karatsoreos IN. Brain-body responses to chronic stress: A brief review. Fac Rev. 2021;10:83. doi: 10.12703/r/10-83Wang X, Hegde S, Son C, Keller B, Smith A, Sasangohar F. Investigating mental health of US college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional survey study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(9):e22817. doi: 10.2196/22817Wang X, Hegde S, Son C, Keller B, Smith A, Sasangohar F. Investigating mental health of US college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional survey study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(9):e22817. doi: 10.2196/22817Garg AS, Tiwari DS, Shah VR, Patel NP. Depression anxiety stress and fear of COVID-19 among adolescent students and its relationship with possible predictors. Ind Psychiatry J. 2024;33(Suppl 1):S171-S176. doi: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_80_24Garg AS, Tiwari DS, Shah VR, Patel NP. Depression anxiety stress and fear of COVID-19 among adolescent students and its relationship with possible predictors. Ind Psychiatry J. 2024;33(Suppl 1):S171-S176. doi: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_80_24Золотарева А.А. Соматические симптомы и поведение, связанное с риском для здоровья, в среде российской молодежи: уроки пандемии COVID-19 // Здоровье населения и среда обитания. 2024. Т. 32. № 2. С. 26- 31. doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2024-32-2-26-31Zolotareva AA. Somatic symptoms and health risk behavior in Russian youth: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Zdorov’e Naseleniya i Sreda Obitaniya. 2024;32(2):26-31. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2024-32-2-26-31Schmidt MV, Robinson OJ, Sandi C. EJN stress, brain and behaviour special issue. Eur J Neurosci. 2022;55(9- 10):2053-2057. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15718Schmidt MV, Robinson OJ, Sandi C. EJN stress, brain and behaviour special issue. Eur J Neurosci. 2022;55(9- 10):2053-2057. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15718Dost S, Hossain A, Shehab M, Abdelwahed A, Al-Nusair L. Perceptions of medical students towards online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national cross-sectional survey of 2721 UK medical students. BMJ Open. 2020;10(11):e042378. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042378Dost S, Hossain A, Shehab M, Abdelwahed A, Al-Nusair L. Perceptions of medical students towards online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national cross-sectional survey of 2721 UK medical students. BMJ Open. 2020;10(11):e042378. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042378Li Y, Wang A, Wu Y, Han N, Huang H. Impact of the COVID-19 рpandemic on the mental health of college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2021;12:669119. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.669119Li Y, Wang A, Wu Y, Han N, Huang H. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2021;12:669119. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.669119Dąbrowska-Galas M, Dąbrowska J. Stress and physical activity level during COVID-19 pandemic in medical students from Medical University in Katowice. Przegl Epidemiol. 2022;76(2):200-209. doi: 10.32394/pe.76.20Dąbrowska-Galas M, Dąbrowska J. Stress and physical activity level during COVID-19 pandemic in medical students from Medical University in Katowice. Przegl Epidemiol. 2022;76(2):200-209. doi: 10.32394/pe.76.20Marvaldi M, Mallet J, Dubertret C, Moro MR, Guessoum SB. Anxiety, depression, trauma-related, and sleep disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;126:252-264. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.024Marvaldi M, Mallet J, Dubertret C, Moro MR, Guessoum SB. Anxiety, depression, trauma-related, and sleep disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;126:252-264. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.024Krishnamoorthy Y, Nagarajan R, Saya GK, Menon V. Prevalence of psychological morbidities among general population, healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2020;293:113382. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113382Krishnamoorthy Y, Nagarajan R, Saya GK, Menon V. Prevalence of psychological morbidities among general population, healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2020;293:113382. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113382Pfefferbaum B, North CS. Mental health and the Covid-19 pandemic. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):510-512. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2008017Pfefferbaum B, North CS. Mental health and the Covid-19 pandemic. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):510-512. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2008017Yılmaz Koğar E, Koğar H. A systematic review and meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis of the perceived stress scale (PSS-10 and PSS-14). Stress Health. 2024;40(1):e3285. doi: 10.1002/smi.3285Yılmaz Koğar E, Koğar H. A systematic review and meta-analytic confirmatory factor analysis of the perceived stress scale (PSS-10 and PSS-14). Stress Health. 2024;40(1):e3285. doi: 10.1002/smi.3285Colomo N, Olveira C, Hernández-Pedrosa J, et al. Validity of self-rating screening scales for the diagnosis of depression and anxiety in adult patients with bronchiectasis. Arch Bronconeumol (Engl Ed). 2021;57(3):179-185. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2020.01.009Colomo N, Olveira C, Hernández-Pedrosa J, et al. Validity of self-rating screening scales for the diagnosis of depression and anxiety in adult patients with bronchiectasis. Arch Bronconeumol (Engl Ed). 2021;57(3):179-185. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2020.01.009Lyons Z, Wilcox H, Leung L, Dearsley O. COVID-19 and the mental well-being of Australian medical students: Impact, concerns and coping strategies used. Australas Psychiatry. 2020;28(6):649-652. doi: 10.1177/1039856220947945Lyons Z, Wilcox H, Leung L, Dearsley O. COVID-19 and the mental well-being of Australian medical students: Impact, concerns and coping strategies used. Australas Psychiatry. 2020;28(6):649-652. doi: 10.1177/1039856220947945Zhu H, Yang X, Xie S, Zhou J. Prevalence of burnout and mental health problems among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2023;13(7):e061945. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061945Zhu H, Yang X, Xie S, Zhou J. Prevalence of burnout and mental health problems among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2023;13(7):e061945. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061945Чинарев ВА, Малинина ЕВ, Обухова МД. Валидизация русскоязычной версии шкалы Recovery Assessment Scale – Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) для оценки восстановления после первого психотического эпизода. Научные результаты биомедицинских исследований. 2026. Т. 12. № 1. С. 154-171. doi: 10.18413/2658-6533- 2026-12-1-1-0Chinarev VA, Malinina EV, Obukhova MD. Validation of the Russian version of the Recovery Assessment Scale – Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) to assess recovery after the first psychotic episode. Nauchnye Rezultaty Biomeditsinskikh Issledovaniy. 2026;12(1):154-171. (In Russ.) doi: 10.18413/2658-6533-2026-12-1-1-0Lasheras I, Gracia-García P, Lipnicki DM, et al. Prevalence of anxiety in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6603. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186603Lasheras I, Gracia-García P, Lipnicki DM, et al. Prevalence of anxiety in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6603. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186603Prado ADS, Kohls E, Baldofski S, et al. How are Brazilian university students coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? Results of an online survey on psychosocial well-being, perceived burdens, and attitudes toward social distancing and vaccination. PLoS One. 2023;18(4):e0284190. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284190Prado ADS, Kohls E, Baldofski S, et al. How are Brazilian university students coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? Results of an online survey on psychosocial well-being, perceived burdens, and attitudes toward social distancing and vaccination. PLoS One. 2023;18(4):e0284190. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284190Bani I, Mohamed Y, Andrade G. Evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on stress and burnout among Ajman university (AU) medical students. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2024;246:104245. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104245Bani I, Mohamed Y, Andrade G. Evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on stress and burnout among Ajman university (AU) medical students. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2024;246:104245. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104245Байгужина О.В., Никольская О.Б., Комиссарова О.А., Ковалева О.И. Психологическая структура темперамента у студентов с различным уровнем волевой саморегуля­ции // Психология. Психофизиология. 2024. Т. 17. № 4. С. 116–123. doi: 10.14529/jpps24Baiguzhina OV, Nikolskaya OB, Komissarova OA, Kovaleva OI. The psychological structure of temperament in students with different levels of volitional self-regulation. Psikhologiya. Psikhofiziologiya. 2024;17(4):116–123. (in Russ.) doi: 10.14529/jpps240410Отрошко Н.А., Романцова С.В., Гладышева И.В., Вервекина Н.В., Синютина С.Е., Гостева М.С. Образ жизни и состояние здоровья иностранных студентов медицинского вуза // Здоровье населения и среда обитания. 2025. Т. 33. № 8. С. 36-45. doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2025-33-8-36-45Otroshko NA, Romantsova SV, Gladysheva IV, Vervekina NV, Sinyutina SE, Gosteva MS. Lifestyle and health of foreign medical students. Zdorov’e Naseleniya i Sreda Obitaniya. 2025;33(8):36-45. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2025-33-8-36-45Павлова С.И., Драндрова Е.Г., Найак Ш.Ч. Субъективная оценка качества жизни иностранными студентамимедиками, получающими образование в Чувашской Республике // Здоровье населения и среда обитания. 2024. Т. 32. № 4. С. 17-26. doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2024- 32-4-17-26Pavlova SI, Drandrova EG, Nayak SC. Self-rated quality of life of foreign medical students getting education in the Chuvash Republic. Zdorov’e Naseleniya i Sreda Obitaniya. 2024;32(4):17-26. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2024-32-4-17-26Климова Е.Г., Чащин М.В., Голик В.Е., Чащин А.М., Макеева Л.В. Оценка риска распространения новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19 от медицинских работников к другим лицам, имеющим общие социальные или профессиональные контакты // Здоровье населения и среда обитания. 2024. Т. 32. № 12. С. 66-73. doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/202432-12- 66-73Klimova EG, Chashchin MV, Golik VE, Chashchin AM, Makeeva LV. Assessing the risks of COVID-19 transmission from healthcare workers to their social and professional contacts. Zdorov’e Naseleniya i Sreda Obitaniya. 2024;32(12):66-73. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2024-32-12-66-73Новокович Ю.С, Глотов О.С, Данилов Л.Г, и др. Особенности кишечного микробиома у лиц с повышенной тревожностью // Научные результаты биомедицинских исследований. 2025. Т. 11. № 3. С. 574-591. doi: 10.18413/2658-6533-2025-11-3-1-0Novokovich YuS, Glotov OS, Danilov LG, et al. Features of the gut microbiome in people with increased anxiety. Nauchnye Rezultaty Biomeditsinskikh Issledovaniy. 2025;11(3):574-591. (In Russ.) doi: 10.18413/2658-6533-2025-11-3-1-0Неронова Е.Г, Ли В.А. Влияние пандемии COVID-19 на частоту и спектр хромосомных нарушений абортусов при невынашивании беременности раннего срока // Научные результаты биомедицинских исследований. 2025. Т. 11. № 3. С. 416-431. doi: 10.18413/2658-6533-2025-11-3-0-2Neronova EG, Li VA. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency and spectrum of chromosomal abnormalities in abortions in early pregnancy failure. Nauchnye Rezultaty Biomeditsinskikh Issledovaniy. 2025;11(3):416-431. (In Russ.) doi: 10.18413/2658-6533-2025-11-3-0-2Хусаинов А.Э., Зулькарнаев Т.Р., Агафонов А.И., Поварго Е.А., Мочалкин П.А., Шамсутдинова А.Ф. Уровень тревожности у студентов медицинского вуза с физической активностью разной интенсивности // Здоровье населения и среда обитания. 2022. № 4. С. 39-43. doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2022-30-4-39-43Khusainov AE, Zulkarnaev TR, Agafonov AI, Povargo EA, Mochalkin PA, Shamsutdinova AF. The level of anxiety among medical university students with physical activity of different intensity. Zdorov’e Naseleniya i Sreda Obitaniya. 2022;30(4):39-43. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2022-30-4-39-43Полякова О.Б., Бонкало Т.И. Самочувствие как ком­понент субъективной оценки здоровья студентами // Здоровье мегаполиса. 2024. Т. 5. № 2. С. 24-32. doi: 10.47619/2713-2617.zm.2024.v.5i2;24-32. EDN OUTFVHPolyakova OB, Bonkalo T.I. Well-being as a component of subjective health assessment in students. Zdorov’e Megapolisa. 2024;5(2):24-32. doi: 10.47619/2713-2617.zm.2024.v.5i2;24-32Hillebrand JF, Ziólkiewicz OA, Zsuffa JA, Horváth AA, Katz S. A COVID–19-világjárvány hatása a Magyarországon tanuló magyar és külföldi orvostanhallgatók mentális és fizikális egészségére [Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of Hungarian and foreign medical students studying in Hungary]. Orv Hetil. 2023;164(52):2055-2064. (In Hungarian.) doi: 10.1556/650.2023.32940Hillebrand JF, Ziólkiewicz OA, Zsuffa JA, Horváth AA, Katz S. A COVID–19-világjárvány hatása a Magyarországon tanuló magyar és külföldi orvostanhallgatók mentális és fizikális egészségére [Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of Hungarian and foreign medical students studying in Hungary]. Orv Hetil. 2023;164(52):2055-2064. (In Hungarian.) doi: 10.1556/650.2023.32940

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.