Stress in University Students, Relaxation and Well-being, Psychological Resilience
Conditions
Keywords
Stress Management, Psychological Resilience, Mental Health and Well-being in University Students
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of music therapy awareness, mindfulness-based breathing, and core exercises on stress, resilience, and relaxation in university students. Stress is highly prevalent in this population and can negatively affect both academic performance and physical and psychological health. By combining music therapy with breathing and core exercises, the study seeks to provide a holistic approach to improving students' well-being
Detailed description
University students often experience high levels of stress due to academic and social responsibilities, which may lead to reduced cognitive performance, decreased endurance, and health problems. Effective stress management strategies are therefore essential to support academic achievement and quality of life. Music therapy has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Mindfulness-based breathing exercises enhance body awareness, calmness, and resilience, while core exercises improve physical endurance, posture, and general well-being. In a university setting, the integration of these approaches may reduce stress levels and increase both psychological and physical resilience. This study will recruit 80 healthy volunteers aged 18-30, consisting of university students or young adults. Participants must be willing to give informed consent and must not have severe musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic health conditions that prevent exercise. Individuals with significant hearing loss, recent surgery, or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with participation will also be excluded. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of music therapy awareness, mindfulness-based breathing, and core exercises on stress levels, resilience, and relaxation among students. The secondary objective is to explore the potential impact of these interventions on academic performance and social relationships.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALcore exercise
Participants will engage in a structured program combining mindfulness-based breathing exercises, core stability/strength exercises, and music therapy awareness sessions. Sessions will be delivered in a lecture-hall setting, approximately 2-3 times per week, lasting 45-60 minutes, for a total duration of 4-8 weeks.
Sponsors
Ankara University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy university students or young adults aged 18-30 years. * Willing to participate voluntarily and able to provide written informed consent. * major physical health problems or musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent participation in the exercise program, based on preliminary health screening. * No significant hearing impairment that would interfere with participation in music-based sessions
Exclusion criteria
* Acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, injury, or disorders that limit exercise participation. * Serious cardiovascular, pulmonary, or other systemic diseases that restrict physical activity. * History of surgery within the past 3 months or medical advice to avoid exercise * Psychiatric or neurological disorders that may prevent compliance with the program. * Significant hearing impairment or other sensory deficits that could interfere with music therapy sessions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Perceived Stress Score assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) | Baseline and 6 weeks | The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure the degree to which individuals perceive their lives as stressful. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress |
| Change in core muscle endurance assessed by the Plank Test | Baseline and 6 weeks | Core muscle endurance will be evaluated using the Plank Test. Participants are instructed to hold a standard prone plank position for as long as possible. The time (in seconds) is recorded from the start of the position until loss of proper form or voluntary termination. |
| Change in core muscle endurance assessed by the Plank Test assessing by score | Baseline and 6 weeks | Core muscle endurance will be evaluated using the Plank Test. Scores range from 0 seconds (minimum) to the maximum duration the participant can maintain proper posture |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in relaxation/calmness assessed by 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire | Baseline and 6 weeks | Participants rate their perceived relaxation on a 5-point Likert Scale (1 = very tense, 5 = very relaxed). Higher scores indicate greater calmness and relaxation (better outcome) |
Outcome results
None listed