Effect of Box-Breathing Exercise on Stress Among Second-Year B.Sc. Nursing Students at a Selected Nursing College, Palakkad

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Box-Breathing Exercise on stress among second-year B.Sc. Nursing students at a selected Nursing college. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the level of stress before and after the practice of Box-Breathing Exercise among the participants. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the study. The research design used was a one-group pre-test and post-test design. The study was conducted among second-year B.Sc. Nursing students at Ahalia College of Nursing. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 35 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The tool used for data collection was a modified Perceived Stress Scale, which included domains such as physical, psychological, emotional, and behavioral aspects of stress. Content validity of the tool was established with the help of experts, and reliability was ensured prior to the main study. The pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of the study. Box-Breathing Exercise was administered to the participants twice daily for seven days for a duration of ten minutes, and stress levels were assessed before and after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed a significant reduction in stress levels among second -year B.Sc. Nursing students after the practice of the Box-Breathing Exercise. The study implies that the Box-Breathing Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing stress.