MUSE pilot study

Abstract

Increased levels of stress and anxiety have negative impacts on nursing students’ mental health and education. The purpose of the MUSE pilot study is to assess the feasibility and impact of two methods of technology-assisted meditation on stress and anxiety: the MUSE headband and the Headspace meditation application. These forms of meditation have been shown in the literature to decrease levels of stress and anxiety and improve mental wellbeing.
 This pragmatic randomized control trial (RCT) occurred over a five-week time frame during fall 2019. In order to test the effectiveness of these interventions, eight nursing students at Queen’s University were recruited, three of whom withdrew. Individuals were eligible for this study if they were 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year Queen’s nursing students in the four-year stream or advanced standing track (AST) program. The study intervention consisted of two 10 to 15 minute meditation sessions per week for five weeks, which were conducted at Queen’s University School of Nursing. Participants completed validated self-reported pre- and post-surveys to evaluate stress and anxiety levels before and after the study. After the participants completed 10 mediation sessions, qualitative data was collected in order to gather feedback on participant experience.
 In this presentation the study purpose, procedures and outcomes will be discussed, while additionally highlighting the experience and perspective of novice undergraduate researchers. Future directions for data analysis and hopes of sharing the findings within the School of Nursing will be addressed.