Reducing Stress and Anxiety in First-Year Undergraduates Through Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Training

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Medical Education
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• College students, particularly medical undergraduates, experience significant daily stressors.
• These stressors frequently lead to psychological challenges, including elevated anxiety and depression.
• Biofeedback offers a method for individuals to gain awareness and control over physiological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback relaxation training.
• To assess the mitigation of stress and anxiety levels in medical undergraduates.

Main Methods:

• A pretest-posttest control group design study was employed.
• First-year MBBS students with high stress/anxiety scores were selected and divided into intervention and control groups.
• The intervention group received 10 biofeedback relaxation training sessions over 10-12 weeks; the control group received no treatment.

Main Results:

• The study included 93 participants (47 intervention, 46 control).
• Post-intervention, the biofeedback group exhibited significantly lower stress and anxiety scores compared to the control group.
• The Perceived Stress Scale-14 and Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale were used for assessment.

Conclusions:

• Biofeedback relaxation training proved effective in reducing stress and anxiety among undergraduate medical students.
• Biofeedback techniques are a viable option for integration into college settings.
• Implementing biofeedback can support and improve student mental wellness.