Effectiveness of Breathing Exercises on Perceived Stress Among First-Year B.Sc. Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Angel E, Manisha A, Pandiyammal M, Priyadharshini M, Ramkumar A, Raveena R, Remijasmine M

Abstract: Background: B.Sc. Nursing students frequently encounter elevated stress levels stemming from demanding academic workloads, clinical responsibilities, and examination pressures. Simple, cost-effective non-pharmacological interventions like breathing exercises may serve as effective coping mechanisms. Objectives: To assess baseline stress levels, evaluate the impact of a structured breathing exercise intervention on post-test stress levels, compare outcomes between experimental and control groups, and examine associations between baseline stress and selected demographic variables. Methods: A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-test?post-test control group design was conducted among 100 first-year B.Sc. Nursing students selected via purposive sampling in Madurai ($n = 50$ Experimental, $n = 50$ Control). Stress levels were measured using the standard Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) prior to and following the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired $t$-tests and Chi-square statistics. Results: In the experimental group, the mean pre-test stress score was $20.27 \pm 3.29$, which significantly decreased to $10.55 \pm 6.19$ post-intervention ($t = 9.81, p < 0.05$). In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant change between pre-test ($19.19 \pm 4.19$) and post-test scores ($19.19 \pm 4.99; t = 0.00, p > 0.05$). Conclusion: Breathing exercises are a highly effective, safe, and economical strategy for reducing perceived stress among nursing students. Incorporating routine practice into nursing curricula can enhance emotional well-being and academic performance.

Keywords: Breathing Exercises, Perceived Stress Scale, Nursing Students, Academic Stress, Quasi-Experimental Design

How to Cite?: Angel E, Manisha A, Pandiyammal M, Priyadharshini M, Ramkumar A, Raveena R, Remijasmine M, "Effectiveness of Breathing Exercises on Perceived Stress Among First-Year B.Sc. Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 326-327, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26722212801, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26722212801

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