NCT07451145

Stress Reduction Program for Iraqi Medical Students

Effects of Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological, Cardiovascular, and Neuroendocrine Outcomes in Iraqi Medical Students During Examinations

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 135 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Thi-Qar · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

A 4-week stress reduction program for medical students during exams, measuring effects on stress, heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones (ACTH, cortisol, DHEA).

Detailed description

This single-group pre-post intervention study evaluates the effects of a culturally adapted 4-week stress-reduction program on psychological well-being, cardiovascular function, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones in Iraqi medical students during examinations. A total of 135 medical students participated in an 8-session mindfulness-based stress management program. Primary outcomes included perceived stress (0-10 visual analog scale), heart rate, blood pressure, and serum levels of ACTH, cortisol, and DHEA, measured before and after the intervention.

Conditions

• Psychological Stress
• Academic Stress

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program	Culturally adapted 4-week stress reduction program including: * 8 group sessions (2 per week, 90 minutes each) * Mindfulness meditation techniques * Progressive muscle relaxation * Breathing exercises * Psychoeducation about stress * Daily home practice (15-20 minutes) * Led by trained facilitators

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2025-01-01
• Completion: 2025-01-01
• First posted: 2026-03-05
• Last updated: 2026-03-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Iraq