Music Therapy Awareness in the Lecture Hall: Effects of Mindfulness-based Breathing and Core Exercises on Stress, Endurance, and Relaxation in University Students

University students often experience high levels of stress due to academic and social responsibilities, which may lead to reduced cognitive performance, decreased endurance, and health problems. Effective stress management strategies are therefore essential to support academic achievement and quality of life.

Music therapy has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Mindfulness-based breathing exercises enhance body awareness, calmness, and resilience, while core exercises improve physical endurance, posture, and general well-being. In a university setting, the integration of these approaches may reduce stress levels and increase both psychological and physical resilience.

This study will recruit 80 healthy volunteers aged 18-30, consisting of university students or young adults. Participants must be willing to give informed consent and must not have severe musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic health conditions that prevent exercise. Individuals with significant hearing loss, recent surgery, or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with participation will also be excluded.

The primary objective is to investigate the effects of music therapy awareness, mindfulness-based breathing, and core exercises on stress levels, resilience, and relaxation among students. The secondary objective is to explore the potential impact of these interventions on academic performance and social relationships.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy university students or young adults aged 18-30 years.
• Willing to participate voluntarily and able to provide written informed consent.
• major physical health problems or musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent participation in the exercise program, based on preliminary health screening.
• No significant hearing impairment that would interfere with participation in music-based sessions

Exclusion criteria

• Acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, injury, or disorders that limit exercise participation.
• Serious cardiovascular, pulmonary, or other systemic diseases that restrict physical activity.
• History of surgery within the past 3 months or medical advice to avoid exercise
• Psychiatric or neurological disorders that may prevent compliance with the program.
• Significant hearing impairment or other sensory deficits that could interfere with music therapy sessions