Comparing the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise and support group therapy on the happiness of nursing students: A randomized clinical trial study
Open accessAbstract
Some nursing students might experience lower and median levels of happiness; hence, providing some interventions would be crucial for them. This study aimed to compare the effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) exercise and support group therapy on happiness amongst nursing students. This was a randomized controlled trial study. In this study, 150 nursing students participated. They were selected from nursing and midwifery school of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. 150 nursing students were divided into three groups (PMR exercise (n = 50), support group therapy (n = 50), and control (n = 50)). PMR exercise and support group therapy were carried out over five consecutive 45-minute sessions per week for 50 participants in groups of 10. Oxford Happiness Inventory was used before and after the interventions. In order to compare the mean score of happiness between two and three groups, t-test, and ANCOVA were used, respectively. After the intervention, the mean scores of happiness were 55.26 (SD = 16.26), 35.16 (SD = 12.69), and 34.22 (SD = 11.83) in the PMR exercise, support group therapy, and control groups, respectively. The results indicated a significant difference amongst the three groups regarding happiness after the intervention (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between the PMR exercise and the control group regarding happiness (p < 0.05). In addition, the mean score of happiness was significantly higher in the PMR exercise group compared to the support group therapy after the intervention (p < 0.05). In the PMR exercise group, a significant difference was found regarding the mean change of students’ happiness before and after the intervention (t = -4.29, p < 0.001). Considering the positive effects of PMR exercise and support group therapy in increasing nursing students’ happiness, educational authorities and educators are recommended to use these therapies during the course of nursing’ Bachelor’s degree to increase happiness within students and positive outlooks amongst groups.
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PMR has been proven to reduce college students' anxiety and stress and boost happiness.
“PMR has been proven to reduce college students’ anxiety and stress and boost happiness [56, 57].”
From Effectiveness and mediators of change of an online CBT intervention for students with adjustment disorder—study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [56]
The Results (sections 5.1–5.2; page unavailable) show increased happiness among nursing students receiving PMR. The Introduction (page unavailable) reports reduced anxiety among nursing students and reduced anxiety and stress more generally, but it does not establish stress reduction specifically in college students. This trial measured happiness, not anxiety or stress. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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- Authors
- Bostani, S., Rambod, M., Irani, P. S., & Torabizadeh, C.
- Affiliations
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Shiraz University (IR)
- Kerman University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Torabizadeh, Camellia
- Venue
- International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020
- Volume
- 13
- Pages
- 100218
- ISSN
- 2214-1391 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3034117060
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 2
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Research Information System of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (Ardabil University of Medical Sciences) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (7400)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- progressive muscle relaxation, happiness, nursing students, psychological well-being, relaxation training, group therapy, nursing education
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