Effect of Ramadan fasting on blood glucose levels and continues performance test (CPT)

One of the religious duties during the holly month of Ramadan is fasting. During the fasting time, blood glucose level is decreased. Hypoglycemia decreases the individual cognition function. The standard continues performance test (CPT) determines cognitive performance of individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of fasting blood glucose level on cognitive performance in the clergymen and clergywomen (religious leaders) during the holly Ramadan month in religious institutes. In this study, 110 volunteers were selected from clergymen and clergywomen who were in fasting in Ramadan month. From the whole participants 68 persons were clergymen and 42 persons were clergywomen. The selected participants were tested for blood glucose test and CPT test in four stages (Two weeks before Ramadan, second week of Ramadan, fourth week of Ramadan and finally one month after Ramadan). Data were analyzed by analytic and descriptive statistics and SPSS software. Paired t-test revealed that the blood glucose levels in the fourth week of the Ramadan month was significantly less than the ones in the second week of Ramadan. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test confirmed a significant relation the between results of blood glucose test and CPT test (P<0.05). No significant relationship was obtained between CPT and age or gender. Results revealed that inconsistent and short time starvation in Ramadan month does not impair cognitive performance. Cognitive performance markers have been reported normal in all processes, if treats of food serves are determined about eight through twelve hours.