title: Comparison between the effects of muscle relaxation and support groups on the anxiety of nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of the two methods of muscle relaxation and support group on the anxiety levels of the nursing students.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized controlled trial, 150 nursing students who met the inclusion criteria were divided into three equal groups-muscle relaxation, support group, and control-using the permuted-block randomization method. The experimental groups received 5 sessions of intervention, while the control group did not receive any intervention at all. Using Spielberger's inventory, the researchers measured the anxiety levels of all three groups before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that both methods had a significant impact on anxiety levels of the nursing students; however, a comparison between their effects revealed that muscle relaxation had been more effective than support group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the seriousness of the issue of anxiety for nursing students, it is important that measures be taken to reduce anxiety in this group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: torabik@sums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Camellia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torabizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Sanaz.bostani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sanaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bostani
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: yektash@sums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Shahrzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yektatalab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000502:physiology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety; Muscle relaxation; Nursing; Nursing students; Support group