TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Distraction-focused interventions on examination stress in nursing students: effects on psychological stress and biomarker levels. A randomized controlled trial
JO  - International journal of nursing practice
A1  - Gebhart, Verena
A1  - Buchberger, Waltraud
A1  - Klotz, Isabella
A1  - Neururer, Sabrina
A1  - Rungg, Christine
A1  - Tucek, Gerhard
A1  - Zenzmaier, Christoph
A1  - Perkhofer, Susanne
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: Nursing students all over the world experience high levels of stress with negative impacts on their health, emotional state and performance. <br><br>AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of distraction-focused interventions on examination stress and anxiety in nursing students. <br><br>METHODS: A randomized controlled, parallel trial design was conducted from January to June 2016. After baseline measurement, 72 participants were randomized to one of the following groups (n = 18 each): (i) animal-assisted therapy; (ii) music therapy; (iii) mandala painting; (iv) control group. Outcomes of all groups in terms of stress-reduction were compared by measuring self-reported perceived stress (STAI-State and visual analogue stress scale) and salivary biomarker levels (Cortisol and Immunoglobulin A). <br><br>RESULTS: Fifty-seven complete data sets (n = 12-16 for each group) were analysed. All distraction-focused interventions showed stress and anxiety reduction in everyday school situations. By contrast, on days with examinations, stress reductions did not reach statistical significance in regard to self-reported psychological stress. At the same time, interventions resulted in significantly decreased levels of stress biomarkers (P <.001). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings suggest positive but situation-dependent effects of distraction-focused interventions in academic settings. Further research should investigate the complex relationship between physiological and psychological stress parameters.<br><br>© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1322-7114
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12788
ID  - ref1
ER  -