Effect of low dose vitamin C on public speaking stress during group presentation

Abstract

Vitamin C ascorbic acid is a well-known antioxidant that is involved in anxiety, stress, depression, fatigue and mood state in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin C on decreasing the level of public speaking stress in term of heart rate, blood pressure and stress assessment. A purposive sample of (45) were included in this randomized placebo-placebo trial study, that was conducted at Faculty of nursing / university of Kufa. Public speaking stress was determined by a questionnaire scale developed from (public speaking anxiety scale). Study group included volunteer students who took a dose of 500 mg a day of vitamin C for one week before a group presentation, while the placebo group is given a placebo before one week of before a group presentation. The result indicated that the blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) before presentation between the two groups ( student group and placebo) was not significantly different. In relation to heart rate, a significant decrease (p< 0.05) was recorded in student group as compared to placebo. The student group has recorded significant difference in many items of stress assessment when comparing to placebo (e.g. increase of heart rate, dry mouth, GIT cramps and anxiety due to fear from failure). The assessment of presentation stress between the two groups (student group and placebo) was determined by means of scores. The results revealed that there is a significant difference (P< 0.05) in presentation stress between student group and placebo group. It was concluded that student group which took 500 mg vitamin C for one week express less presentation stress. The most stress signs that has been improved by vitamin C intake are: increase of heart rate, dry mouth, GIT cramps and anxiety due to fear from failure.