Effectiveness of Relaxation Techniques in Reducing Academic-Related Stress Among Female University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objectives To assess the effectiveness of structured relaxation techniques in reducing academic-related stress and improving health-related quality of life among female university students residing in hostel settings. Design and setting: A quasi-experimental, non-randomized controlled trial with a comparator group was conducted among female university students at M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru. Out of 1,043 students screened using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the EQ-5D-5L tool, 60 eligible participants were selected—30 each for the intervention and comparator groups. Results Baseline characteristics, including age and year of study, were comparable between the groups (p > 0.01). The intervention group showed a significant reduction in stress (PSS median: 21 to 20; p  < 0.001; r  = 0.22) and improved quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: 0.73 to 0.83; p  < 0.001; r  = 0.87). Conversely, the comparator group exhibited increased stress (PSS: 20 to 22; p  < 0.001; r  = 0.78) and no significant QoL change. Difference-in-Differences analysis indicated a net improvement in the intervention group (PSS: − 3; EQ-5D-5L: +0.10). Conclusion Relaxation techniques effectively reduced academic-related stress and enhanced quality of life.