Effectiveness of Music Interventions to Reduce Test Anxiety in Pharmacy Students

Background: The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a classroom activity involving music on anxiety associated with preparing for and taking an assessment. Methods: Two hundred and two (202) pharmacy students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions of the experim...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Suzanne Galal (Author), Deepti Vyas (Author), Rachelle Kisst Hackett (Author), Ed Rogan (Author), Chloe Nguyen (Author)
Format: Book
Published: MDPI AG, 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:Background: The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a classroom activity involving music on anxiety associated with preparing for and taking an assessment. Methods: Two hundred and two (202) pharmacy students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions of the experimental study: active music playing (<i>n</i> = 103) versus passive music listening (<i>n</i> = 99). All students completed a pre-test, a mid-test, and a post-test including: an "Attitudes and Perceptions" survey, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI Survey), and a knowledge assessment. Data were analyzed to determine the impact each of the music interventions had on students' test anxiety. Results: Both types of musical interventions produced similar results in terms of anxiety reduction. Faced with an upcoming test prior to the musical intervention, average state-trait anxiety scores increased; after the musical intervention, state-trait anxiety scores decreased. Conclusions: The use of music helped to reduce test anxiety, even after one brief musical intervention, regardless of whether students passively listened to music or actively played music.
Item Description:10.3390/pharmacy9010010
2226-4787