IMPACT OF SMET MEDITATION TO REDUCE ANXIETY STRESS AND DEPRESSION IN COLLEGE GOING STUDENT
Nidhi Sihag, Dr. Aklavya Bohra, Dr. Yash Prajapati, Dr. Mahima Pandey, Dr. Nikita, Rahul Sharma, Kuldeep Choudhary
Indian Journal of Physical Therapy November 1, 2026 DOI: 10.63299/ijopt.0704277 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-group pre-test–post-test experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | College-going students at Swasthya Kalyan Institute of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, recruited by convenience sampling |
| Intervention | Self-Management of Excessive Tension (SMET) meditation |
| Measures | Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mean DASS scores dropped from 35.67 ± 10.29 before the SMET meditation intervention to 7.38 ± 6.64 after it, a mean reduction of 28.29 ± 12.30 points, which the authors report as statistically significant with a very large paired effect size (Cohen's dz = 2.30). The authors conclude SMET meditation was associated with reduced overall psychological distress and may be a feasible, low-cost complementary approach, while noting the need for controlled studies with larger samples and separate analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress subscales. |
Abstract
Background: College students frequently experience academic, social, and personal stressors that may contribute to depression, anxiety, and stress. Meditation-based interventions may provide a simple, non-invasive approach to improving psychological well-being. Self-Management of Excessive Tension (SMET) meditation is a structured relaxation technique intended to reduce excessive physical and psychological tension.
Aim: To determine the impact of SMET meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress among college-going students.
Methods: A single-group experimental pre-test–post-test design was conducted at Swasthya Kalyan Institute of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences. Forty-two college-going students were included using convenience sampling. Participants underwent a structured SMET meditation intervention. Psychological distress was assessed before and after the intervention using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Pre- and post-intervention scores were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean pre-intervention DASS score was 35.67 ± 10.29, which decreased to 7.38 ± 6.64 after the intervention. The mean reduction was 28.29 ± 12.30 points. The paired-samples t-test demonstrated a highly statistically significant difference between pre- and post-intervention DASS scores (t(41) = 14.916, p < 0.001). The 95% confidence interval for the mean difference was 24.45–32.12, with a very large paired effect size (Cohen’s dz = 2.30).
Conclusion: SMET meditation was associated with a significant reduction in overall DASS scores among college-going students. It may be a feasible, low-cost, and non-invasive complementary approach for managing psychological distress. Controlled studies with larger samples and separate analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress subscales are recommended. Keywords: SMET meditation, college students, depression, anxiety, stress, DASS, meditation, psychological distress.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |