Author: Ogba FN1, Ede MO2, Onyishi CN2, Agu PU2, Ikechukwu-Ilomuanya AB2, Igbo JN2, Egenti N2, Manafa I3, Amoke C2, Nwosu NC2, Omeke FC2, Nwafor BN2, Amadi KC4, Nwokenna EN5, Ugwoke SC2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Educational Foundations, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
<sup>3</sup>Department of Educational Foundations, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Anambra State.
<sup>4</sup>Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
<sup>5</sup>Department of Art Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Conference/Journal: Medicine (Baltimore).
Date published: 2019 Apr
Other:
Volume ID: 98 , Issue ID: 15 , Pages: e15107 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015107. , Word Count: 251
BACKGROUND: Living in Nigerian environment is enough stress. In our time, many students could not cope with the stress of school environment like ours and others are still suffering from different health problems attributed to stress. Based on this, we investigated the effect of music therapy with relaxation technique on stress management among university students in southeastern Nigeria.
METHODS: Participants for the study were 142 university students in the Southeastern Nigeria. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to measure the symptoms of stress. Statistical tool used was repeated measures with analysis of variance (ANOVA) to ascertain the effectiveness of music therapy with relaxation. Among other tools used was Partial η to examine the effect sizes and level of changes inthemanagement of stress across groups.
RESULTS: The finding indicated that there were no baseline differences in levels of stress management between participants in the treatment and waitlist control conditions. Results revealed significant improvement in stress management for participants in the music therapy with relaxation group, whereas the waitlist control group showed no significant change in their score over the same period. Furthermore, the positive effect of music therapy with relaxation was maintained at follow-up.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the efficacy of music therapy with relaxation technique for improving the students' stress management can be consistent at follow-up. Hence, music therapists, counsellors and psychotherapists should continue to investigate the beneficial effects of music therapy with relaxation on stress management among university students in every part of the world.
PMID: 30985665 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015107