Key result
Resonance frequency breathing links to lower test anxiety and improved performance, with ~89% reporting utility.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to test whether resonance frequency breathing exercises minimize test anxiety.
Do resonance frequency breathing exercises reduce test anxiety and improve test performance in undergraduate students?
Do resonance frequency breathing exercises reduce test anxiety and improve test performance in undergraduate students?
Resonance frequency breathing exercises performed for seven days prior to an exam may effectively reduce test anxiety and improve test performance in college students.
May support resonance frequency breathing for student test anxiety; hypothesis-generating and requires randomized confirmation before practice change.
The goal of this study is to test if resonance frequency breathing exercises will minimize test anxiety. This study used an experimental within-person design where participants completed a resonance breathing exercise after completing the first exam in an undergraduate course of their choosing for seven consecutive days before the second exam in the same course. In total, 316 participants completed the pre-test and 279 completed the post-test. Test anxiety decreased and test performance improved as a result of the resonance breathing exercises, even when controlling for the delivery of the exam, the course, and the seating position used for the breathing exercises. Qualitative results revealed that 88.5% of participants reported utility in the resonance breathing activity, with many reporting themes associated with calmness and increased focus. Our results support the physiological benefits of resonance breathing in collegiate settings regarding test anxiety.
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Boudreau et al. (2024) studied Test anxiety (n=316). Resonance frequency breathing exercises vs. Pre-test (within-person design) was evaluated on Test anxiety and test performance. Resonance frequency breathing exercises for seven days decreased test anxiety and improved test performance, with 88.5% of participants reporting utility in the activity.
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