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Biofeedback-Aided Relaxation Training Helps Emotional Disturbances in Undergraduate Students Before Examination
Zahra Gholami Tahsini1, Shahrokh Makvand Hosseini2, Farahnaz Kianersi3
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
|August 2, 2017
Summary
Biofeedback-aided relaxation training (BFRT) effectively reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in undergraduate students during final exams. This intervention improved psychological well-being by targeting key physiological indicators.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Undergraduate students frequently experience heightened stress, anxiety, and depression during final examinations.
- Psychological distress can negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being.
- Effective interventions are needed to support students during high-stakes academic periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback-aided relaxation training (BFRT) in mitigating depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among undergraduate students facing final exams.
- To assess the impact of BFRT on specific psychophysiological measures relevant to stress response.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 29 undergraduate students scoring high on depression, anxiety, and stress scales.
- Participants were randomly assigned to either BFRT or a no-treatment control group.
- The BFRT group underwent eight 4-week sessions focusing on decreasing electromyography (EMG) and respiration rate (RESP), and increasing skin temperature (TEMP).
Main Results:
- Students in the BFRT group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms compared to the control group.
- Significant positive changes were observed in the targeted psychophysiological modalities (EMG, RESP, TEMP) within the BFRT group.
- GLM statistical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of BFRT.
Conclusions:
- BFRT is a valuable tool for alleviating emotional distress in undergraduate students during stressful academic periods, such as final examinations.
- The findings suggest that BFRT can contribute to improved psychological health and resilience in student populations.
- Targeting psychophysiological responses through biofeedback training offers a promising avenue for managing academic-related stress.
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