EFFECTIVENESS OF BREATHING EXERCISES AND RELAXATION TRAINING IN GLOSSOPHOBIA AMOUNG HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS IN KARACHI

Abstract

Background: Glossophobia, or public speaking anxiety, is a highly prevalent form of social anxiety that hinders effective communication, a skill central to health sciences education and practice. The ability to engage confidently with patients, colleagues, and multidisciplinary teams is vital for safe and effective healthcare delivery. Non-pharmacological interventions such as breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) have been reported to alleviate anxiety by targeting both physiological and psychological components. However, evidence specific to health sciences students in Karachi remains limited, highlighting the need for empirical evaluation of these techniques.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of breathing exercises and relaxation training in reducing glossophobia among health sciences students, while also exploring improvements in self-perceived confidence in public speaking.

Methods: A quasi-experimental, non-randomized controlled trial was conducted at Bahria University Health Sciences Campus, enrolling 176 participants aged 18–25 years through convenience sampling. The Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) was administered before and after intervention to measure anxiety levels. Students scoring within the moderate to severe range were included. The intervention consisted of daily sessions, five times per week for four weeks, each lasting 45 minutes, and included slow deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and PMR. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, employing paired t-tests for pre- and post-intervention comparisons, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean SIAS score significantly decreased from 43.90 (±7.63) pre-intervention to 26.19 (±7.79) post-intervention (p < 0.001). Mean anxiety levels also declined from 2.43 (±0.57) to 0.94 (±0.59), reflecting substantial improvements. Demographic analysis showed that 55.7% of participants were aged 18–21 years, 75.0% were female, and 76.7% were from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Anxiety reduction was consistent across gender and age groups.

Conclusion: The study confirmed the effectiveness of breathing exercises and PMR in reducing glossophobia among health sciences students. Integrating these evidence-based interventions into educational curricula may enhance communication skills, boost confidence, and strengthen professional competence, while providing a foundation for future research on sustainable anxiety-reduction strategies.