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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06341569

Physical Therapy Students: Well-being

This study aims to explore various psychosocial aspects and the potential benefits of respiratory techniques for physical therapy students.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety State Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Dyssomnias Life Stress Mental Disorders Motivation Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Sleep Deprivation Sleep Wake Disorders Sleep, Inadequate Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara

Timișoara, Timiș County, 3003001, Romania

About this study

Understanding the psychosocial state of academic students has become a primary concern in contemporary educational research and practice. As students go through the challenges of higher education, factors such as motivation, life satisfaction, and happiness play crucial roles in shaping their academic experiences and outcomes. Therefore, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to studying these elements in order to gain insight into the overall state of students and inform strategies designed to create positive educational outcomes.

The implications of studying motivation, life satisfaction, and happiness among academic students are far-reaching. By gaining a deeper understanding of these psychosocial elements, educators and policymakers can develop interventions and programs designed to cultivate positive learning environments that support students' psychological well-being and academic success. For example, strategies that enhance intrinsic motivation, such as promoting autonomy and providing meaningful learning opportunities, can lead to improved engagement and academic achievement. Similarly, initiatives that promote a sense of belonging and social support can improve students' overall life satisfaction and happiness.

Thus, this study aims to explore various psychosocial aspects and the potential benefits of respiratory techniques for physical therapy students.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Students: enrolled in the physical therapy study program (year I, II and III) Age: > 18 years Ability to understand and follow instructions Availability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Pre-existing medical conditions: uncontrolled medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, severe respiratory problems) Use of psychotropic drugs: drugs that could significantly affect mood, anxiety level, or sleep quality.

Pregnancy: due to potential physiological changes that could influence the results of the study.

Inability to comply with study requirements: these could include completing questionnaires and participating in the respiratory techniques program (if part of the intervention group).

Treatment and study plan

Respiratory breathing techniques group

Other

Target group: subjects in the respiratory breathing techniques group. Program duration: the program lasts for 14 weeks.

Breathing techniques: the program includes various breathing exercises, including:

Diaphragmatic breathing teaches participants to breathe deeply, engaging the diaphragm muscle, which can improve lung capacity and relaxation.

Pursed-lips breathing: this technique involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips, which can help slow down breathing and manage shortness of breath.

Alternate nostril breathing: this technique involves closing one nostril while inhaling and exhaling through the other nostril alternately.

Relaxation techniques: the program incorporates progressive muscle relaxation techniques. This involves progressively tensing and relaxing different muscle groups.

Medical education: topics like the anatomy of the respiratory system, the importance of proper breathing, potential benefits of specific breathing exercises.

Primary outcomes

  1. Assessing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels among physical therapy students.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Motivational Styles Questionnaire (MSLQ) assesses students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels. The MSLQ does not have a standard range of minimum and maximum values. Higher scores on intrinsic motivation indicate a better outcome, reflecting a higher level of internal motivation. Conversely, higher scores on extrinsic motivation may suggest a reliance on external rewards or pressures, which could indicate a less favorable outcome.

  2. Assessing the happiness levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire evaluates happiness levels. It ranges from 1 to 6. Higher scores on the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher happiness and life satisfaction levels.

  3. Assessing the positive and negative emotional states of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The PANAS-GEN Questionnaire measures positive and negative expressions to provide insights into emotional states. It ranges from 1 to 5. Higher scores on positive expressions indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher positive emotions. Conversely, higher scores on negative expressions may suggest a less favorable outcome, indicating higher levels of negative emotions.

  4. Assessing the well-being of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The RYFF Psychological Well-being Questionnaire assesses different aspects of psychological well-being among students. The RYFF Psychological Well-being Questionnaire typically ranges from 1 to 6. Higher scores on the RYFF Psychological Well-being Questionnaire indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher levels of psychological well-being.

  5. Assessing the overall life satisfaction levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire evaluates overall life satisfaction. It ranges from 1 to 7. Higher scores on the Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire indicate a better outcome and reflect higher levels of life satisfaction.

  6. Assessing the subjective happiness levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Subjective Happiness Scale assesses subjective happiness levels. It ranges from 1 to 7. Higher scores on the Subjective Happiness Scale indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher levels of subjective happiness.

  7. Assessing the sleep quality of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PSQI) evaluates the sleep quality of the participants. It ranges from 0 to 21. Lower scores on the PSQI indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher sleep quality.

  8. Assessing the worry and anxiety levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: At the beginning of the study

    The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) assesses students' worry and anxiety levels. It ranges from 1 to 5. Lower scores on the PSWQ indicate a better outcome, reflecting lower levels of worry and anxiety.

  9. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the MSLQ baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on intrinsic motivation indicate a better outcome, reflecting a higher level of internal motivation. Conversely, higher scores on extrinsic motivation may suggest a reliance on external rewards or pressures, which could indicate a less favorable outcome.

  10. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the happiness levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher happiness and life satisfaction levels.

  11. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the students' positive and negative emotional states.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the PANAS-GEN Questionnaire baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on positive expressions indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher positive emotions. Conversely, higher scores on negative expressions may suggest a less favorable outcome, indicating higher levels of negative emotions.

  12. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the students' well-being.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the RYFF Psychological Well-being Questionnaire baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on the RYFF Psychological Well-being Questionnaire indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher levels of psychological well-being.

  13. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the overall life satisfaction levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on the Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher levels of life satisfaction.

  14. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the subjective happiness levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the Subjective Happiness Scale baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Higher scores on the Subjective Happiness Scale indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher levels of subjective happiness.

  15. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the quality of sleep of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PSQI) baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Lower scores on the PSQI indicate a better outcome, reflecting higher sleep quality.

  16. Assessing the effects of the respiratory techniques program on the worry and anxiety levels of the students participating in the study.

    Time frame: 14 weeks after the beginning of the study

    Comparison of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) baseline scores before and after 14 weeks of the respiratory techniques program. Lower scores on the PSWQ indicate a better outcome, reflecting lower levels of worry and anxiety

  17. Adherence to breathing exercises at 12-month follow-up

    Time frame: 12 months after the end of the intervention

    Adherence will be assessed using a structured self-report questionnaire developed for this study. Key variables include: weekly frequency, session duration, technique used, barriers, and perceived utility. A composite dose index (frequency × duration) and binary adherence variable will be calculated. Full questionnaire, codebook, and scoring instructions are available at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/T9XAP

  18. Coping strategies assessed with the COPE at 12-month follow-up

    Time frame: 12 months after the end of the intervention

    Coping will be measured using the COPE inventory (50-item version). The scale includes multiple subscales such as active coping, emotional support, denial, acceptance, planning, and others. Subscale scores will be computed according to the scoring manual.

  19. Self-esteem assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale at 12-month follow-up

    Time frame: 12 months after the end of the intervention

    Self-esteem will be measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), a 10-item validated questionnaire. Higher total scores indicate higher self-esteem.

  20. Perceived psychological benefit of breathing practice at 12-month follow-up

    Time frame: 12 months after the end of the intervention

    Psychological benefit will be evaluated using four Likert-scale items measuring perceived improvement in stress, sleep, positivity, and worry. A composite mean score will be calculated (Perceived_benefit_mean). Instrument details and scoring instructions are available at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/T9XAP

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Understanding Well-being in Physical Therapy Students: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Motivation, Life Satisfaction, and Perceived Academic Quality

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Apr 2, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 29, 2025

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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