This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of smart watch monitoring in reducing stress levels among nursing students during older adult clinical training. Nursing students often experience psychological stress during geriatric clinical practice due to complex patient care and clinical responsibilities. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a smart watch monitoring group or a control group receiving usual clinical training. Stress levels will be assessed using validated instruments, while physiological indicators, including heart rate variability (HRV), will be monitored in the intervention group. The findings will determine whether smart watch monitoring can support stress management and improve students' well-being during clinical training.
Detailed Description Background: Clinical training is an essential component of nursing education; however, it is frequently associated with high levels of psychological stress. Older adult clinical training presents unique challenges because nursing students care for patients with multiple chronic conditions, functional limitations, and complex healthcare needs. These challenges may negatively affect students' emotional well-being, learning experience, and clinical performance. Early identification and effective management of stress are therefore important to support students throughout their clinical education. Advances in wearable technology have created new opportunities for continuous physiological monitoring. Smart watches equipped with sensors can monitor heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), physical activity, and sleep patterns. HRV is a recognized physiological indicator of autonomic nervous system activity and has been widely used to assess stress responses. Continuous HRV monitoring may provide objective information about stress levels and facilitate timely stress management. Study Purpose: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of smart watch monitoring in reducing stress levels among nursing students during older adult clinical training. The study also aims to determine whether continuous physiological monitoring can improve stress awareness and support stress management during clinical practice. Study Procedures: Eligible nursing students will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will wear a smart watch throughout the clinical training period. The device will continuously collect physiological data, including HRV and heart rate, according to the manufacturer's specifications. Participants in the control group will receive routine clinical training without smart watch monitoring. Stress will be evaluated before and after the intervention using validated assessment tools. Physiological data collected from the smart watch will be analyzed alongside questionnaire results to examine changes in stress levels over time and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Expected Significance: The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the value of wearable technology as a practical strategy for stress monitoring and management among nursing students. If effective, smart watch monitoring may support nursing education by promoting early detection of stress, improving students' psychological well-being, and enhancing their clinical learning experience during older adult clinical training.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
225
Students will wear smartwatches during all clinical training shifts Data (heart rate, steps) will be recorded automatically Students will: Monitor stress indicators Become aware of physiological stress responses Weekly: Students send screenshots from Google Fit to researchers whatsapp or emails Researcher records data in Excel sheet 2- Control Group: Students will undergo routine clinical training No smart watch or monitoring provided Phase 5: Post-test Assessment At the end of the intervention period: Both groups will: Complete Tool II (PSS) Complete Tool IV (Brief COPE) Phase 6: Data Analysis Compare: Pre vs Post within each group Intervention vs Control Analyze: Stress levels (PSS) Physiological stress (HR) Coping strategies (COPE)
Faculty of Nursing
Cairo, Select State, Egypt
perceived stress scale
A validated questionnaire used to measure the perception of stress among participants. Scores range from 0 to 40, where higher scores indicate higher perceived stress
Time frame: base line 1 month and 3 months after intervention
resting heart rate
Physiological stress marker monitored daily using the smart watch to evaluate changes in autonomic nervous system regulation
Time frame: 3-4 months
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