Title The Benefit of Saffron on Reducing Anxiety Symptoms Nursing Students
Retno Sumiyarini, Khristina Diaz

Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta

Abstract

Background: Recent study concerning healthcare-related fields has indicated that nursing students have higher levels of anxiety and have severe physiological and psychological symptoms of mental health problem than students of others majors. Common stressors perceived by nursing students, which are rigorous courses, a mandatory curriculum that requires students facing frequent transitions from classroom to intensive lab and hospital and frequent enforcement of exams. It lead to anxiety. Dealing with those situation, students attempt to deal and cope with their anxious-perceived symptoms through the negative mode of action such as consuming alcohol, marijuana, smoking, and drug abuse. It is essential to manage those problems through effective intervention.
Purpose: This study aims to understand the potential effects of using saffron as an alternative therapy to treat anxiety symptoms among college students.
Methods: We conducted an un-blinded experimental study. We recruited 78 nursing students who perceive stress, divided into two groups, the saffron group (n 42) and control groups (n 36). Treatment protocol was as follow saffron group received saffron as brewed drinks, while control group drinks regular tea. The treatment duration is two weeks. Using the DASS 21 Checklist, we assessed the students at baseline, and after 2 weeks completed therapy to measure the outcome. Finally, the data were analyzed using t test statistical analysis. Results: Saffron had a more significant impact on the anxiety level among the intervention group. The mean stress scores decreased from 13,8 to 9,2 for the saffron group (p 0,0001) and from 14,4 to 13,6 for the control group (p 0,24).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that saffron is as effective to reduce stress level among nursing students

Keywords: Saffron, anxiety, nursing, students

Topic: Mental Health and Holistic care