The effect of meditation on exam anxiety of nursing students: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Nursing students frequently encounter significant levels of test anxiety, which can impact their academic success and overall well-being. Twin Heart Meditation is a technique for relaxation that might assist in alleviating anxiety. Aims: This research aim to assess the influence of Twin Heart Meditation on exam anxiety in nursing students. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 100 nursing students. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: a control group (n = 50) and an experimental group (n = 50). In the experimental group, participants engaged in meditation for 30 minutes, three times per week, over a one-week period. Both groups underwent assessments of exam anxiety before and after the intervention, utilizing the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing paired and independent t-tests, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in exam anxiety scores between the two groups before to the intervention (P = 0.473). Following the intervention, the mean exam anxiety score in the experimental group significantly decreased from 56.52± 13.91 to 50.22± 11.54 (P < 0.001), whereas the control group showed no statistically significant change, with scores from 58.48± 13.27 to 58.42± 13.21 (P = 0.371). Moreover, an independent t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in post-intervention exam anxiety scores between the two groups (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Meditation can be regarded as an effective, non-invasive approach to alleviate exam anxiety in nursing students, which may lead to improvements in their academic success and general mental health.