Stress, Psychologic clinical trials

Effect of Vibroacoustic Therapy on Acute Stress in University Students

The goal of the planned Randomized Control Trial is to explore the effect of vibroacoustic therapy on acute stress of university students. The theoretical framework of the study is based on biopsychosocial model of stress and multimodal approach to measurement. The trial is designed as single-blinded, placebo-controlled, with participants individually randomized into two parallel-groups, including equal randomization and blocked allocation of participants. 420 participants are all full-time university students (18-30 years) and will be divided into two groups: an experimental group (receiving low vibrations combined with music) and a control group (only music without low-frequency sounds). For both groups acute stress response will be measured by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV SA), galvanic skin response (GSR), salivary cortisol, standardized psychological questionnaires - visual analogue scales for stress (VAS-stress) and Perceived Stress Scales-10, Czech version (PSS-10). It is expected that the experimental group will demonstrate a lower level of stress response that will be measured by higher activity of parasympathetic activity, lower level of skin resistance, lower level of salivary cortisol and lower subjective perception of stress. If vibroacoustic therapy turns out to be effective, it can be viewed as safe, student-friendly and inexpensive prevention of stress-related health problems and promote the health of students in the course of university education.