Psychological Stress, Academic Stress
Conditions
Keywords
ACTH, Cortisol, DHEA, HPA axis, Stress reduction, Stress management, Mindfulness, Medical students, Academic stress, Psychological stress, Neuroendocrine, Iraq, Examination stress, Behavioral intervention, Stress hormones
Brief summary
A 4-week stress reduction program for medical students during exams, measuring effects on stress, heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones (ACTH, cortisol, DHEA).
Detailed description
This single-group pre-post intervention study evaluates the effects of a culturally adapted 4-week stress-reduction program on psychological well-being, cardiovascular function, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones in Iraqi medical students during examinations. A total of 135 medical students participated in an 8-session mindfulness-based stress management program. Primary outcomes included perceived stress (0-10 visual analog scale), heart rate, blood pressure, and serum levels of ACTH, cortisol, and DHEA, measured before and after the intervention.
Interventions
Culturally adapted 4-week stress reduction program including: * 8 group sessions (2 per week, 90 minutes each) * Mindfulness meditation techniques * Progressive muscle relaxation * Breathing exercises * Psychoeducation about stress * Daily home practice (15-20 minutes) * Led by trained facilitators
Sponsors
University of Thi-Qar
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Single-group pre-post intervention study. All 135 participants received an identical 8-session mindfulness-based stress reduction program delivered over 4 weeks. Outcome measures (stress, ACTH, cortisol, DHEA, heart rate, blood pressure) were assessed at baseline before the intervention and again at 4 weeks after program completion.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* \- Medical students at University of Thi-Qar College of Medicine * Currently enrolled and preparing for examinations * Age 18 years or older * Willing to participate in 8 intervention sessions * Able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Current use of medications affecting HPA axis or cardiovascular function * Diagnosed chronic medical or psychiatric conditions * Pregnancy or lactation * Previous participation in formal mindfulness or stress management training
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived Stress Score | Baseline and 4 weeks | Perceived Stress Score (0-10 visual analog scale) |
| ACTH Levels | Baseline and 4 weeks | Measure: Levels (pg/mL) |
| Cortisol Levels | Baseline and 4 weeks | Measure: Cortisol Levels (µg/dL) |
| DHEA Levels | Baseline and 4 weeks | Measure: DHEA Levels (ng/mL) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | Baseline and 4 weeks | Measure: Heart Rate (bpm) |
| Blood Pressure | Baseline and 4 weeks | Measure: Blood Pressure (mmHg) - Systolic and Diastolic |
Countries
Iraq
Outcome results
None listed