[Christmas article: Please put your pants on - an RCT]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2020 Dec 7;182(50):V71111.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Introduction: It is common practice after a pelvic exam to ask a woman to put her pants on, before she is given verbal information. We aimed to compare short-term memory in undressed versus dressed women.

Methods: Thirty-six female Ob/Gyn doctors were randomised to receive verbal information while undressed and still in a lithotomy position, or once dressed again. The primary outcome was the proportion of items recalled from a 20-item list.

Results: We found no significant difference in recall; 58% in dressed women versus 62% in undressed women (p = 0.26).

Conclusion: The memory of women is not affected by, whether or not they are dressed.

Funding: none.

Trial registration: none.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Memory*
  • Mental Recall*