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NCT Number: NCT07523087

Effect of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Training on First Clinical Day Stress in First-Year Nursing Students

Clinical practice is a fundamental component of nursing education; however, it can be a major source of stress, particularly for first-year students. The first clinical day is often associated with high levels of anxiety due to uncertainty, fear of making mistakes, and perceived inadequacy.

Mindfulness-based approaches have been shown to enhance coping skills and facilitate adaptation to clinical environments. However, most existing interventions are long-term, and evidence regarding short, pre-clinical interventions is limited.

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of a brief mindfulness-based training administered one day before clinical placement on reducing anticipatory stress and first clinical day stress among first-year nursing students. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data will be collected using the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).

The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based improvements in pre-clinical preparation in nursing education.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Clinical Practice Mindful Breathing Meditation Mindfulness Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi

Isparta, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Clinical stress negatively affects nursing students' learning processes, self-confidence, and clinical performance. The first clinical experience is particularly associated with increased stress and anxiety levels.

Mindfulness-based interventions help individuals regulate stress responses by promoting non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. While previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness programs, they have predominantly focused on long-term interventions.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term mindfulness-based training delivered one day prior to clinical practice. The study uniquely examines both anticipatory stress (before clinical exposure) and experienced stress (after the first clinical day).

The intervention includes breathing awareness, body awareness, and short mindfulness exercises delivered in a four different sessions time before first clinical experince. The results are expected to provide practical and evidence-based contributions to nursing education.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • First-year nursing students
  • First clinical practice experience
  • Voluntary participation

Exclusion criteria

  • Refusal to participate in the study
  • Prior awareness training received
  • Absence

Treatment and study plan

Brief Mindfulness-Based Training

Behavioral

The intervention planned in this study is a brief mindfulness-based training program. Students in the experimental group, preparing for their first clinical practice, received four separate mindfulness-based training sessions before their first clinical day experience. The training included breath awareness, body awareness, awareness of thoughts and feelings, and short mindfulness exercises. Students in the experimental group completed the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) before the mindfulness training session and the Perceived Stress Scale one day before the clinical practice. Students in the control group completed both the MAAS and the Perceived Stress Scale one day before the clinical practice. Students in both the experimental and control groups completed the MAAS and the Perceived Stress Scale again at the end of their first clinical day. Differences between the groups will be evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the intervention on stress and mindful awarenes

Primary outcomes

  1. Perceived clinical stress level

    Time frame: T0: One day before first clinical day practice T1: End of first clinical day

    Measured using the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mindfulness level

    Time frame: T0: Pre-intervention T1: End of first clinical day

    Measured using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Suleyman Demirel University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Training on Reducing First Clinical Day Stress in First-Year Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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