عارفه ابراهیمی

Previous research has examined test anxiety and sleep quality separately, but few studies have explored their combined effects across proficiency levels and neurophysiological measures in EFL contexts. This study employed a multiphase quantitative design to investigate the relationships among test anxiety, language proficiency, sleep quality, and brain activity in Iranian EFL learners. In the first two phases, ۱۰۰ learners, including ۷۹ females and ۲۱ males aged between ۱۸ and ۵۰ years, were selected through convenience sampling and completed the Sarason Test Anxiety Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and regression analysis. In the third phase, which involved the brain scanning stage conducted in the brain research laboratory, qEEG recordings were obtained from ۱۲ participants selected through purposive sampling. Based on their questionnaire scores, the participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (high anxiety, poor sleep) and a control group (low anxiety, adequate sleep), with six participants in each group. This study was confirmed by Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research of ATU with the ethical code ir.atu.rec.۱۴۰۳.۱۲۳. Brain activity was recorded in a resting state using a ۱۹-channel qEEG system during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, and group differences were assessed with the Mann–Whitney U test. Results showed no significant difference in test anxiety between proficiency levels, but sleep quality significantly predicted anxiety. Neurophysiological data revealed anxiety-related patterns in beta and alpha activity, frontal alpha asymmetry (F۳–F۴), and increased theta and delta power. These findings suggest that academic performance and test anxiety are influenced by both emotional and sleep-related factors, rather than proficiency alone. By combining questionnaire data with brain mapping, this study highlights the importance of addressing sleep quality and test anxiety, offering practical insights for teachers and learners seeking to improve academic outcomes and overall well-being.