Effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety among nursing students prior to critical care clinical training

Abstract

Introduction: Intensive care units are considered stressful and emotionally risky situations by both professionals and patients and their families. The purpose was to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety among nursing students in intensive care units prior to clinical training. Method: A randomized, controlled study design was used. The study composed of 80 nursing students from Arab American University. For 2 weeks, the experimental group’s 40 participants were taught progressive muscle relaxation exercises to help with anxiety control, whereas the control group’s 40 participants received no training. Results: The results revealed that the experimental group was capable of reducing the anxiety ( p < 0.05). Also, the experimental group had les anxiety (1.15 ± SD = 0.43) compared with the control group (2.83 ± SD = 0.40). Conclusion: The current study’s findings confirmed the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PMRE) on anxiety reduction in intensive care units during clinical training among nursing students.

Sleep Quality and Interoception Are Associated with Generalized Anxiety in Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…While certain barriers may be non-modifiable (e.g., financial constraints and medical conditions), addressing stress and time management offers potential solutions to these challenges. In one trial, progressive muscle relaxation exercises performed for 45 min 5 days per week for two weeks, along with an additional 10–15 min training session performed every day at home, reduced anxiety among nursing students [ 38 ]. Similarly, a study conducted by Almarcha and colleagues found that participants involved in an exercise regime experienced increased mental health and interoceptive awareness scores.…”