Clinical Research Directory

Student-Centred Simulation-Based Skills Training on Coping Self-Efficacy, Stress, and Anxiety Among Nursing Students in the UAE

This study will examine whether student-centred simulation-based skills training helps undergraduate nursing students in the United Arab Emirates feel more confident in coping with difficult situations and experience less stress and anxiety. Simulation-based training allows students to practice skills through realistic scenarios. The study will compare a group receiving this training with a comparison group, using questionnaires before and after the training to assess changes in confidence in coping, perceived stress, and current anxiety.

Treatment of Parental Anxiety Virtual Reality (VR)

The purpose of this study is to determine if non-invasive distracting devices (Virtual Reality headset) are more effective than the standard of care (i.e., no technology based distraction) for preventing anxiety in parental and pediatric populations. The study will be conducted in the general inpatient area, Emergency Department and Heart Center.

The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Before Gastroscopy on Anxiety, Fear, and Vital Signs

Gastroscopy, performed as an invasive procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases, is often perceived by patients as an unpleasant and frightening experience, leading to anxiety (Hua et al., 2025). The onset of anxiety reduces procedure tolerance and negatively affects patient compliance (Yang et al., 2024). Factors such as pain, fear of complications, loss of control, and inadequate information are frequently cited as contributors to pre-gastroscopy anxiety (Helba, 2024). Anxiety triggers general stress responses-such as tachycardia, hypertension, and respiratory changes-associated with autonomic nervous system activation, and it impacts sedation requirements and cardiopulmonary risks (Liu, 2025). Breathing exercises, a non-pharmacological intervention, are widely recognized in the literature as effective in alleviating anxiety and fostering positive outcomes in patients (Aktaş, 2022; Bulut \& Karabulut, 2023). Breathing exercises stand out as a safe, low-cost method that modulates autonomic nervous system activity (Herawati et al., 2023). This study examines the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises performed prior to gastroscopy on anxiety, fear, and vital signs. The results of this study will establish a scientific foundation for healthcare professionals regarding the clinical application of breathing exercises and contribute to evidence-based practices aimed at reducing pre-gastroscopy anxiety and fear while enhancing personal coping.

Reducing Anxiety During Virtual Reality Kayaking in Youth With Intellectual Disabilities.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a physical warm-up can lower anxiety during virtual reality (VR) games in youth with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. VR is a fun and modern technology, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming for new users. This study takes place during a summer sports camp to see how we can make VR more comfortable and enjoyable. The main question it aims to answer is: Does using real-world props, like a paddle or a real kayak, before and during a VR game lower feelings of anxiety? Researchers will compare playing the VR game with no special props to playing with kayak props. This will help us see if touching and feeling real physical items helps participants feel calmer before putting on the VR headset. Participants will: 1. Answer a short survey about their feelings before the game. 2. Complete a short, safe physical warm-up with trained instructors. 3. Play a VR kayaking game while sitting on a cushion or in a real kayak. 4. Wear a life jacket to make the experience feel more real. 5. Answer a short survey about their feelings right after the game

Effect of Mandala Art Therapy on Childbirth Fear and Anxiety in Expectant Fathers

This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of mandala art therapy in reducing childbirth fear and state anxiety among fathers whose partners are nulliparous pregnant women and who are waiting in the obstetric ward waiting area during labor. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control group. Fathers assigned to the intervention group will participate in a single 20-25-minute mandala art therapy session, whereas those in the control group will receive standard care without any additional intervention. Childbirth fear and state anxiety will be assessed using the Fathers' Birth Fear Scale and the State subscale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively, at baseline and immediately following the intervention. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mandala art therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating childbirth-related fear and anxiety among expectant fathers.

Virtual Reality Video and Mandala Coloring Activity on Anxiety Levels, Satisfaction and Non-Stress Test Results of Pregnant Women

Non-stress testing (NST) is one of the most commonly used non-invasive tests to assess fetal health. NST is widely used because it is non-invasive and easy to interpret. However, although it is a painless procedure, pregnant women may experience anxiety during the procedure. The high level of anxiety experienced by the pregnant woman during the NST procedure affects the test result and may increase the rate of non-reactive NST, leading to misinterpretation. These false positive rates of NST lead to an increase in cesarean section rates. Recent studies have shown that methods that increase fetal movements and shorten the duration of NST are used. When the literature is examined, it is seen that non-pharmacological methods such as music therapy, virtual reality and abdominal touching applied during the NST procedure reduce the anxiety of pregnant women and positively affect the NST results. With this proposed project, it is aimed to determine the Effect of Virtual Reality Video and Mandala Coloring Activity on Anxiety Levels, Satisfaction and Non-Stress Test Results of Pregnant Women. The study is a randomized controlled experimental type study in pretest-posttest design and the population of the study will consist of pregnant women who applied to Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic and were referred to NST. Simple randomization method will be used while sampling the pregnant women. The power analysis was performed under 95% power (1-β), number of groups=3 and α=0.05, and in the light of these parameters, it was concluded that a sample size of at least 90 participants was required for this study. In case of data loss, it was envisaged to increase the sample size by 20%. Accordingly, the project was planned to be conducted with a total of n=108 participants, with 36 pregnant women in each group. After the ethics committee permission, institutional permission will be obtained from Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital. Data will be collected using the "Personal Introduction Form", "State Anxiety Scale", "NST findings record form" in which NST findings are recorded, and Visual Analog Scale-Satisfaction Form to evaluate their satisfaction after NST.

Caregiver Training Regarding Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Feeding and Care

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is used for patients who cannot be fed orally, have a reduced swallowing reflex, or require long-term feeding. PEG care and feeding, which is performed with nursing support in healthcare institutions, becomes the responsibility of the caregiver after discharge. During this process, a lack of information and insufficient mastery of PEG feeding can create stress for caregivers. This situation jeopardizes patient safety. Therefore, healthcare professionals should manage patient-centered care from the moment the PEG indication is established until discharge. In this regard, consistent guidance and healthcare education are needed for caregivers. Aim and hypotheses: This study aims to examine the effects of hands-on PEG feeding and PEG care training, enriched with audiovisual materials (video), on caregivers' knowledge level, skills, and stress levels related to the PEG feeding and care process. H1: The training provided for caregivers increases their knowledge level regarding PEG feeding and care. H2: The training provided for caregivers increases their skill level regarding PEG feeding and care. H3: The training provided for caregivers reduces their stress levels related to PEG feeding and care. Design: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with experimental and control groups. Method: The study population will consist of caregivers of patients receiving inpatient care at a state hospital and undergoing PEG placement for the first time. The sample size was calculated using the G-Power 3.1 program, resulting in a sample size of 54 (n1=27, n2=27), including the dropout rate. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups. The intervention group will receive hands-on training related to PEG feding and care using a low-fidelity model. In addition, caregivers will be provided with video training on PEG feeding and care that they can watch for review when needed. The control group will receive standard institutional training provided by the nutrition nurse of the institution where the study is conducted. Data will be collected face-to-face using a "Personal Information Form", "State Anxiety Inventory", "Skills Checklist", and "PEG Care Konowledge Form". Three measurements will be taken in the study. Test 0: Before the training (Personal Information Form, State Anxiety Inventory), Test 1: After the training (with the PEG Care Knowledge Form and the State Anxiety Inventory). Additionally, the researcher will evaluate the caregiver's feeding and care practices using the Skills Checklist. Test 2: Two weeks after from the Test 1 (State Anxiety Inventory and PEG Care Konowledge Form), also the researcher will also evaluate the caregiver's practices a second time using the Skills Checklist. Data will be analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 27 software package.

Can Increased Medical Competence Reduce State Anxiety in Junior Doctors in the Emergency Department?

This randomized controlled trial investigates whether an adaptive e-learning program on acute and time critical medical conditions can reduce state anxiety and improve the competence of junior doctors working in emergency departments. Junior doctors assigned to frontline shifts will be enrolled and randomized into two groups: an intervention group receiving the e-learning program within the first six weeks of employment and a control group receiving standard onboarding with delayed access to the program. The primary outcome is the change in state anxiety levels, assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Secondary outcomes include perceived self-efficacy during shifts and self-assessed competency improvements.

Anxiety and Surgery Satisfaction for Cataract Patient With Different State Anxiety

This study aims to explore the effects of anxiety traits on pain, anxiety, and anesthesia satisfaction in patients undergoing cataract surgery under topical anesthesia. On the day of recruitment, patients will complete the BAI, STAI-S, and STAI-T anxiety questionnaires to assess baseline anxiety levels. Thirty minutes before the surgery, patients will be randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, to receive either Xanax or a placebo and will retake the BAI, STAI-S, and STAI-T questionnaires. After the surgery, patients' pain levels and anesthesia satisfaction will be evaluated, with the pain scale and satisfaction survey repeated the following day. The results will analyze the relationship between anxiety traits and pharmacological interventions on the surgical experience, aiming to optimize surgical procedures and improve overall patient comfort.

Examining Effects of Active Plant Engagement on College Student Well-Being and Performance

The goal of this feasibility study is to determine if active engagement with plants (e.g. care, maintenance) improves mental health and academic performance in college students. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does active engagement with plants result in improvements in academic motivation and study habits? 2. Does active engagement with plants result in reductions in stress and improvements in mood? Researchers will compare two interventions groups (campus plant engagement group and home plant engagement group) to the comparison group (no plant engagement or passive exposure) to clarify the practical and potential benefits of active plant care for college students. Participants will: * Complete four surveys over the course of a 16-week semester * Water, prune and check the soil of their assigned plants

Efficacy of Interactive Audio-based Mindfulness ChatGPT-Powered Intervention on Well-being

Brief mindfulness intervention is a short form is a form of short-duration practice, typically delivered for around 30 minutes or less (Howarth et al., 2019). It can be conducted in various formats, including a short breathing exercise or body scan (Palascha et al., 2021), and are increasingly offered through digital platforms, including app-based formats. Empirical evidence has examined the efficacy of brief mindfulness intervention and yielded mixed results. For some studies, positive effects were found, while some studies found no supporting evidence. Such inconsistencies may be due to the several current limitations of brief mindfulness intervention. Firstly, the duration of the intervention is too short. Given this brevity, these short practices may not offer the same immersion and depth that traditional mindfulness may offer. Secondly, most brief mindfulness utilised audio-based formats, which tend to be passive in nature and may not fully engage participants. Lastly, for brief mindfulness delivered through app-based platforms, these applications adopt a self-help approach, which may lower engagement and user commitment. Moreover, these applications also relied on audio guides which lacks the student-facilitator engagement found in traditional classes. To address the current limitations within the literature, a between-within-subjects experiment will be conducted where participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three conditions: (1) an interactive brief mindfulness breathing ChatGPT-powered intervention, (2) an interactive mind-wandering ChatGPT-powered control, or (3) a mindfulness breathing audio control. We hypothesise that the brief mindfulness breathing ChatGPT-powered intervention group will have significant improvements in well-being outcomes as compared to the other two control groups. By exploring the potential of an interactive ChatGPT-powered intervention, this study aims to understand its efficacy in improving well-being.