Music for Anxiety Reduction and Performance Enhancement in Nursing Simulation

Background: Performance anxiety related to nursing simulation can potentially impede student learning. Method: This study employed a randomized control group pretest-posttest design to examine the effect of music listening on anxiety, self-efficacy, and performance among baccalaureate nursing students undergoing simulation testing (N = 38; M-age = 23.05, standard deviation = 3.41). Results: Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and state-trait anxiety scores were significantly lower in the experimental group, F(3, 35) = 6.55, p = .02, eta(2) = 0.27, whereas instructor performance ratings were significantly higher than the control condition (p = .009). No differences were seen on self-efficacy scores (p = .37). Conclusions: The intervention has the potential to reduce anxiety, improve performance, and facilitate learning in simulation testing experiences. (C) 2016 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.