ABSTRACT

Background: Academic stress during examination periods is a common cause of both psychological distress and physical discomfort, particularly in the neck and shoulder regions. The upper trapezius muscle is frequently implicated due to increased muscle tone associated with stress-related sympathetic activation. Mindful breathing has emerged as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological intervention for stress management. However, limited research exists evaluating its effect on muscle tenderness. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 2-week mindful breathing practice on upper trapezius muscle tenderness and perceived stress levels in college students experiencing exam-related stress. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pre–post design was used. Thirty physiotherapy students (aged 18–25 years) scheduled to appear for exams and meeting inclusion criteria—PSS-10 score ?14 and trapezius tenderness ?3/10—were recruited. Participants practiced guided mindful breathing for 10 minutes daily, 5 days per week, over two weeks. The intervention focused on nasal breathing and body awareness. Outcome measures included upper trapezius muscle tenderness (palpation-based 0–10 scale, ICC = 0.75–0.89) and perceived stress using the PSS-10 questionnaire (ICC = 0.78–0.91). Results:There was a significant reduction in muscle tenderness (Pre: 5.47 ± 0.80; Post: 2.93 ± 0.69; p < 0.001, Cohen’s d ? 4.9) and perceived stress (Pre: 26.43 ± 2.23; Post: 17.96 ± 2.16; p < 0.001, Cohen’s d ? 10.9). Conclusion: A brief mindful breathing intervention significantly reduced both psychological stress and muscle tenderness in physiotherapy students during exam stress. These findings support mindful breathing as an effective, accessible strategy for addressing both mental and musculoskeletal effects of academic stress. Keywords: Mindful breathing, Upper trapezius, Academic stress, Muscle tenderness, PSS-10, Physiotherapy students
Publication date: 01/09/2026

https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/September/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10486.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.9.10486