Della Anderson1, Stephanie Brown2. 1. University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. Electronic address: dellaanderson@ku.edu. 2. University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. Electronic address: stephanielbrown@ku.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nursing student stress has a major impact on academic performance and testing anxiety is one prominent source. This study evaluated the influence of dogs in decreasing student anxiety at a nursing program prior to a medication dosage calculation exam. METHOD: This study uses a convenience sample randomly assigned to a control and intervention group with a pre-pre, pre, post and post-post-test using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The intervention group experienced a therapy dog intervention prior to the medication dosage calculation exam. RESULTS: Using a repeated measures one-way MANOVA, there was a statistically significance difference between intervention and control groups Wilk's ∧ = 0.761, F(8, 79) = 3.103, p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: A brief interaction with therapy dogs prior to a medication calculation exam decreased anxiety in a convenience sample of nursing students. This study adds empirical knowledge to the field of animal-assisted therapy and nursing student anxiety-coping methods.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nursing student stress has a major impact on academic performance and testing anxiety is one prominent source. This study evaluated the influence of dogs in decreasing student anxiety at a nursing program prior to a medication dosage calculation exam. METHOD: This study uses a convenience sample randomly assigned to a control and intervention group with a pre-pre, pre, post and post-post-test using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The intervention group experienced a therapy dog intervention prior to the medication dosage calculation exam. RESULTS: Using a repeated measures one-way MANOVA, there was a statistically significance difference between intervention and control groups Wilk's ∧ = 0.761, F(8, 79) = 3.103, p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: A brief interaction with therapy dogs prior to a medication calculation exam decreased anxiety in a convenience sample of nursing students. This study adds empirical knowledge to the field of animal-assisted therapy and nursing student anxiety-coping methods.