Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on Stress among Pediatric Nurses at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Mohammed Saad Khalil, Amira; Mohamed Ahmed Hegazy, Samya; Samir Ahmed El-husseiny, Hala; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal; El-Sayed El-Ghadban, Fathia

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.394371

Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercise on Stress among Pediatric Nurses at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University

² Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, PortSaid University,

⁴ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University

⁵ Assistant Professor, Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University

10.21608/ejhc.2024.394371

Abstract

Background: The quality of care nurses provide can be significantly impacted by occupational stress, which can also negatively affect their quality of life. Tai Chi has three key components, including meditation, movement, and breathing.The set of relaxing, rhythmic, and fluid movements brings about a state of mental health and calm by fostering the body and mind as a coherent unit as well as evacuating the mind from thoughts that cause tension. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises on stress among pediatric nurses at the pediatric intensive care unit. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to fulfill this study using a pre-test and post-test one-group design. Setting: The study was carried out in the neonatal intensive care unit, at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. Subject: A convenient sample that included (50) nurses was selected. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used; Tool (I): Personal data of the nurses and Tool II: Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Results: A statistically significant difference was found between stress mean scores at (P=0.001) pre and post-Tai Chi exercise intervention. Also, a substantial reduction in pre- and post-Tai Chi exercise intervention between the groups was reported regarding stress levels. Conclusion: The tai chi exercise intervention has resulted in a significant decrease in mean post-test stress scores among pediatric nurses. Recommendations: Provide a training program for pediatric nurses at the pediatric intensive care unit about the importance of the Tai Chi exercise intervention to be able to use them as a part of routine care.

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