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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05694468

The Effects of a Relaxation Intervention on College Students' Social-emotional Competence

Objective: To examine the impact of a psychomotor relaxation program on college students' social-emotional competence, personal and professional development. Participants: Twenty female college students participated. Methods: In this non-random one-group repeated measures study with a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative analysis), participants were tested on two occasions 4 weeks apart (baseline measure), and then engaged in the psychomotor relaxation program twice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants were tested again after the intervention program (post-test).

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Key information

Conditions

Stress

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Andreia Dias Rodrigues

Evora, 7000-847, Portugal

About this study

This was a non-random one-group repeated measures study with a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative analysis), where participants served as their own controls.

The investigators examined the chronic effects of the intervention program, collecting the instruments online at week 1 (pretest 1) and week 5 (pretest 2), to establish the baseline measures, and at the end of the 8-week period (post-test). In the post-test evaluation, participants also completed the questionnaire with open-ended questions. Investigators also measured salivary cortisol at the beginning and end of the 1st and the 15th sessions to evaluate the acute effects of the intervention program.

Students participated in a psychomotor relaxation program comprised by two 20-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks, combining body awareness, muscle tone regulation and breathing exercises

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age between 18 and 30 years old
  • not having participated in a similar intervention program within the last 6 months
  • not have a physical condition that can affect participation in the program
  • do not take medication that can influence the studied outcomes.

Exclusion criteria

  • age under 18 or over 30 years old
  • have participated in a similar intervention program within the last 6 months
  • have a physical condition that can affect participation in the program
  • take medication that can influence the studied outcomes.

Treatment and study plan

Psychomotor Relaxation

Other

Psychomotor relaxation sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Stress

    Time frame: 1, 4 and 12 weeks.

    Stress was measured through the Portuguese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).

  2. Cortisol levels

    Time frame: 2 days

    Cortisol levels (mcg/dL) were quantified in saliva samples collected at the same time and in the same place where the intervention occurred. Before and after the 1st and 15th session, the samples were collected directly from each participant's mouth.

  3. Change in Affective states

    Time frame: 1, 4 and 12 weeks.

    Affective states were measured through the Portuguese short version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS).

  4. Change in Interoceptive awareness

    Time frame: 1, 4 and 12 weeks.

    Interoceptive awareness was measured through the Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA).

  5. Change in Psychological wellbeing

    Time frame: 1, 4 and 12 weeks.

    Psychological wellbeing was measured through the Portuguese short version of the Scales of Psychological Wellbeing (EBEP).

  6. Personal and professional development

    Time frame: 1 day (after the intervention program)

    A questionnaire was created to the present study comprising 3 open-ended questions concerning the perception of the students about the influence of the intervention program on their personal development, and the benefits that the intervention program may have in the exercise of their future profession as an early childhood educator.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Évora

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of a Relaxation Intervention on College Students' Social-emotional Competence: A Mixed Methods Approach

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jan 23, 2023
Registry last updated
Jan 25, 2023

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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