1/29CBT Neurological effects of high-frequency PC screen refresh rate/flickering

[elusive]

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I took CBT MCAT January 29th. My computer screen had a very low refresh rate/ flickering, which cannot be tuned out by the brain; in other words, there was this type of flickering that some people respond to and others don't (different threshhold levels within a small range). I think it's called "critical flicker fusion". If the refresh rate would be higher, my brain would tune it out.
I noticed that flickering that was so subtle, but was so irritating, and it added to my test anxiety and inability to focus to the full extent, which I have never experienced during any CBT practice tests that I took on normal plasma computer screens.
Has anyone experienced the same? AAMC should consider the potential neurological effects of low-frequency refresh rate (flickering) upon the succeptible people (particularly since the duration of the test is 5 hours). It might send some people into convulsions (photosensitive epilespy), could give a migraine to some, and I don't want to sound too speculative (which I bet I do already), but it overstimulates the brain and has deep effects on the overall test performance. I am not trying to be an expert neurologist 🙂, but in the past years I've read very similar-sounding pieces of research. If anyone has any information, please send me the links. http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/vol9-3.html and http://headaches.about.com/od/triggers/a/office_lighting.htm and http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=15727316
I am very upset with the total test experience for that reason. I thought the test was fine, and I knew pretty much everything, but focusing was very hard because of that constant flickering/ refresh rate, which certainly added to my anxiety, so I almost ran out of time on some sections, which has never happened before. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flicker_fusion_threshold

*I did not even try to ask the test administrators because they seemed to be somewhat coputer-illiterate. When I was seated, the menu bar was still showing on my screen, so one of the test administrators who was assisting me to the chair had to call the other one to check out what was wrong because, evidently, I was not supposed to have that menu bar on my screen. He blindly punched some buttons on the screen. And now that I am thinking: could it be that he lowered the refresh rate? If so, this so upsets me. It was so irritating throughout the test and made it hard for me to focus. I was afraid to do anything with the computer myself, such as try to change the refresh rate or anything. We are videoed anyways. And who knows.... what they would think I was doing.... My desktop also was not properly sized, so the top of each page was not visible, so I had to call the guys and after some blind pushing the buttons, they resolved the problem. It's not necessary to say that it took some time and added to my anxiety. NOt DURING THE MCAT!!!!!

 

[silent spark]

the same happened for me, i wonder how many desktop monitors flickered like ours did. it certainly affected my concentration on some level. if everyone's monitor was like that, then at least all of us had to deal with it. though you pose an interesting question about possible physiological reactions for some . . . i guess an imperfect testing experience is what we get for being the first batch of cbt takers (esp. for some of the jan. 27th people).

 

[bob123456]

The flickering also bothered me alot. I had never experienced it before, it kind of made me feel like I was drunk. However, after a couple of passages I was so locked in that it didn't both me anymore.

 

[humerus]

At some point I started fiddling with the buttons because the actual test screen followed the curvature of the CRT monitor. Once I got it to look normal, the screen flickered even worse. I say we petition the AAMC for better monitors. Oh, and quiet keyboards. I took the test with fingers stuck in my ears, because the headsets actually amplified the keystomping!

 

[wisguy]

Just to clarify, it's a low refresh rate that causes screen flicker. A rate above 60 or 65 Hz is usually sufficient to minimize eyestrain and headaches that flicker can cause. I usually set mine for 75 Hz just because it's the max for my monitor resolution for my video card.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

If you have to retest, call around and see if you can find a center with different monitors. My testing center had LCDs. There wasn't a CRT in the place.

 

[MedSchoolOrBust]

I dont think I have ever used such an archaic computer screen and I am from a 3rd world country! To say that it bothered me would be an understatement. By the time I got to the biological sciences, I had a pretty bad headache. My cubicle was also next to the window facing the street and I could hear everything including the subway, traffic, and ambulance and police sirens. There were also some people in the testing room that were making their own music through their mannerisms such as rubbing their legs vigorously - I guess from anxiety. I asked for some earplugs and those seemed to work but I did not put them on until verbal. I have been forewarned by friends about the noise cancelling headphones and its potential to give a headache so I did not want to risk it and put them on.

 

[elusive]

Wisguy, you are right.
It's lowering the frequency that makes it flicker. My problem was that that level of frequency could not be tuned out by my brain.
I think it's called "critical flicker fusion." Thank you for catching that!

 

[Beau Geste]

Seriously, you guys. I'm sorry, but this is a lame thread. I've been using computers since back to the Apple IIc. Many of you are too young to remember those, but flickering screens of today are much better than they ever used to be, and I nor any friends, family, acquaintances, etc had neurologic deficits as a result.

If there was something seriously wrong with your monitor, then you should have spoke up. Otherwise it's just another excuse to go along with the new CBT testing.

It never fails that it was someone else's fault that the MCAT didn't go very well!

👎 🙄

 

[elusive]

As researchers, no one knows for sure the long term neuro effects of certain types of brain stimulation. Research always continues, and it is almost never completely conclusive, when it comes to one's brain. SO it is exactly as you said-LAME- of you to make such critical judgments. I never made one. I said the effects should be considered. There is plenty of research about stimulating visual cortex and flicker rate fusion.
And when people report that they feel dizy and drunk from that flickering, even nauseous, it means that there is a certain level of overstimulation that is happening that makes them be unable to perform.
People have different threshholds. No one here is making excuses. If you feel this way, this is your type of attitude that's all.
Thank you. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=15727316 and http://headaches.about.com/od/triggers/a/office_lighting.htm and http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/vol9-3.html
Elusive.

 

[Beau Geste]

And when people report that they feel dizy and drunk from that flickering, even nauseous, it means that there is a certain level of overstimulation that is happening that makes them be unable to perform.
People have different threshholds. No one here is making excuses. If you feel this way, this is your type of attitude that's all.
Thank you.

Elusive.

It's "dizzy". And it's "nauseated" not nauseous. You feel nauseated. Something else makes you nauseous. Neurologic researchers know that. I used to be one of them.

You're right, my attitude is that this thread is one big excuse. Obviously you have enough neurologic capability (without excessive dizziness or nausea) to view your monitor, process information and respond. Doesn't seem like you're too affected.

Where is Panda Bear when I need him

 

[foofish]

Seriously, you guys. I'm sorry, but this is a lame thread. I've been using computers since back to the Apple IIc. Many of you are too young to remember those, but flickering screens of today are much better than they ever used to be, and I nor any friends, family, acquaintances, etc had neurologic deficits as a result.

Shout out--we had an Apple IIc when I was a kid....and that thing even crept along on the internet (back in the mid-80s when the "internet" was a few government agencies and an "online" encyclopedia). But even that flickering wasn't the end of the world. Wow....now I feel really, really old...

But hey, on the bright side, you lucky CBTers only had a 5 hour exam...

 

[Beau Geste]

Shout out--we had an Apple IIc when I was a kid....and that thing even crept along on the internet (back in the mid-80s when the "internet" was a few government agencies and an "online" encyclopedia). Wow....now I feel really, really old...

And after that it was a Dell 486 and subsequent flickering HUGE CRT monitor. Not to mention all the flickering televisions I had exposure to as a child in the 70's and 80's

 

[foofish]

And after that it was a Dell 486 and subsequent flickering HUGE CRT monitor. Not to mention all the flickering televisions I had exposure to as a child in the 70's and 80's

At some point we had a laptop--probably an IBM--that was bigger and heavier than most modern desktops...well, I'm off to have my quarter-life crisis now.... 🙂

 

[elusive]

Convulsions can be precipitated by the visual stimuli, such as flickering light. You can read plenty of research about it. (photosensitive-- epilepsy, migraine). That was only a part of my argument. I said that it might send SOME people into convulsions, but mostly it's distractive and gives people a headache or makes them dizzy.

 

[Beau Geste]

Convulsions can be precipitated by the visual stimuli, such as flickering light. You can read plenty of research about it. (photosensitive-- epilepsy, migraine). That was only a part of my argument. I said that it might send SOME people into convulsions, but mostly it's distractive and gives people a headache or makes them dizzy.

Typically these conditions do not present their first onset at 20 years old during an MCAT examination. Most people know if they are sensitive to flickering light and have epilepsy/migraines related to them. There are a few cases where people don't know, but for the most part, they do. And they should petition the AAMC BEFORE the exam regarding that.

There was a post not too long ago where someone had epilepsy and was worried about the monitors.

Otherwise, people should do well in their pre-reqs, study, take the test, and not blame testing conditions on how they perform.

 

[elusive]

It's "dizzy". And it's "nauseated" not nauseous. You feel nauseated. Something else makes you nauseous. Neurologic researchers know that. I used to be one of them.

You're right, my attitude is that this thread is one big excuse. Obviously you have enough neurologic capability (without excessive dizziness or nausea) to view your monitor, process information and respond. Doesn't seem like you're too affected.

Where is Panda Bear when I need him

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nauseous

"Usage Note: Traditional critics have insisted that nauseous is properly used only to mean "causing nausea" and that it is incorrect to use it to mean "affected with nausea," as in Roller coasters make me nauseous. In this example, nauseated is preferred by 72 percent of the Usage Panel. Curiously, though, 88 percent of the Panelists prefer using nauseating in the sentence The children looked a little green from too many candy apples and nauseating (not nauseous) rides. Since there is a lot of evidence to show that nauseous is widely used to mean "feeling sick," it appears that people use nauseous mainly in the sense in which it is considered incorrect. In its "correct" sense it is being supplanted by nauseating." (dictionary.com​

It is correct to say "to feel nauseous." Sorry. But thank you for the attempt to teach me English grammar. Also, as for "dizy," everyone has typing mistakes from time to time. Would you like to go through every post? Would you like to discuss the proper spelling of "behavior" or "behaviour" ? After all, it's a matter of usage. Every languange evolves. I speak 6, and I know that very well.
I have an LCD screen with sufficiently high frequency rate that my brain does not register, so, yes, my neurologic capability on this creen is just fine. YOu are right: for some people what I said is an excuse. For some, people, however, it truly makes them nauseated and gives them headaches. You just cannot argue with that- I am sorry.

 

[ssquared]

But hey, on the bright side, you lucky CBTers only had a 5 hour exam...

Seriously. I have back problems, and sitting in a stiff metal and plastic chair for 9 hours for my MCAT was miserable. My back hurt for days afterwards.

Of course, given that my scores are much higher for BS than PS I'm gonna go ahead and say that it didn't negatively affect my score. Blaming the test would be silly.

Computer monitors may give some people headaches. Sitting in a hard chair for 9 hours gave me one. Any standardized exam with as much riding on it as the MCAT will give most people a headache. I wouldn't worry about the computer screen because if you've prepped sufficiently (except for rare circumstances) it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Beau Geste]

Computer monitors may give some people headaches. Sitting in a hard chair for 9 hours gave me one. Any standardized exam with as much riding on it as the MCAT will give most people a headache. I wouldn't worry about the computer screen because if you've prepped sufficiently (except for rare circumstances) it shouldn't be a problem.

This is exactly where I was going with this.

 

[Beau Geste]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nauseous

"Usage Note:​

I must be a traditional critic.

Edit: I am going to bow out of the pissing contest here. It still sounds like an excuse to me, but I'm not going to tell you to not pursue something you feel passionately about.

I took the GRE years ago (twice) as well as my licensure exam and had no issues with the monitors. I'm taking the MCAT in May and while my eyes might be tired and my back sore from sitting for 5 hours, and either freezing/sweating from the room conditions, it will be nothing compared to the hell I'm willing to put myself through that is M3, M4, and residency.

Anyway, good luck with your research.

/opinion​

 

[niranjan162]

low refresh rates such as 70 and below have been known to cause eyestrain and damaging to the body, although i dont remeber what. One day in front of such a monitor probably wont cause permanent damage, but i think headaches could easily be a side effect form the monitors, and is probably really annoying