Efficiency of Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi [D. Don] DC.) and selected Yoga module in test anxiety of school-going children: A single-arm clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Test anxiety (TA) is a form of social evaluation anxiety experienced by individuals in a setting of assessment. Studies among students have reported an anxiety rate of 10%–30% which affects their overall performance. On analyzing the symptoms of TA, it is found that, there is a predominance of imbalance of Vata and Pitta humor. Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi [D. Don] DC.) has the property to balance all three Sharira Dosha (body humor) along with Manasa Dosha (psychic humor) and is hence widely used in psychiatric conditions. Several studies concluded that Yoga therapy is effective in various anxiety conditions. Aim: As the reported trials are less in TA from the Ayurvedic fraternity, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jatamansi and Yoga in test anxiety (TA) of school-going children. Materials and methods: Four hundred higher secondary students with age group 15-17 Yrs. were screened with TA self-assessment questionnaire after the quarterly examination. The 32 students satisfying the criteria and with informed assent, were selected for intervention, 45 days before the half-yearly examination. Jatamansi tablet was administered to the participants at the dose of two tablets (each of 500 mg) twice daily at 7 am and 7 pm with lukewarm water along with practicing 50 min of the selected Yoga module in the morning, continuously for 1 month. Assessments were done by the Westside TA scale (WSTAS) and Suinn TA behavior scale (STABS) before and after the intervention and after the half-yearly examination. The data were analyzed using paired “t-test.” Results: The total score of the WSTAS showed a statistically significant effect at the level of P < 0.001, which is suggestive of improvement in the wandering of mind, improving confidence, and concentration ability during the examination. Similarly, the total score of the STABS showed a statistically significant effect at the level of P < 0.001 suggesting improvement in anxious behavior during the examination. The scale showed highly significant results in anxiety at the level of P < 0.001 during preparation and after completing the examinations and at the level of P < 0.05. The drug does not show any drug tolerance or adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a significant role for the Jatamansi tablet 500 mg twice daily along with a selected Yoga module for one month in reducing the test anxiety (TA) of school-going children.