Using Systematic Review in Research: Reducing Anxiety in College Students

QUESTION

Please assist with providing a response for the following questions.

Please take a moment to read the following article and select the document for response.

1. Provide a brief synopsis of what you learned from the document.
2. Explain how you are planning to use systematic review to support your research.

PICOT Question: In (P) college students, ages 20-24, does (I) mindfulness-based intervention/therapy vs (C) traditional therapy (O) effectively reduce anxiety symptoms (T) within a period of six months?

                                                                                        References

Chan, C. C., Chan, A. K., Chu, C. H., & Tsang, Y. C. (2023). Theory-based behavioral change interventions to improve periodontal health. Frontiers in Oral Health, 4, 106-119. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2023.1067092

Hein, S., & Weeland, J. (2019). Introduction to the special issue. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in clinical and community settings: Challenges, alternatives, and supplementary designs. New Directions for Child and adolescent development, 2019(167), 7-15. https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20312

Mancini, M. A., & Mancini, M. A. (2021). Models of Change and Well-Being from Behavioral Health Disorders. Integrated Behavioral Health Practice, 59-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59659-0_3

Pilafas, G., Strongylaki, N. P., & Menti, D. (2022). Evaluating and comparing the efficacy of the ‘trans-theoretical model and ‘theory of planned behavior on smoking cessation. A systematic review of the current literature. Health & Research Journal, 8(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.29194

ANSWER

Using Systematic Review in Research: Reducing Anxiety in College Students

Introduction

Systematic review is a critical research method used to synthesize and evaluate existing literature on a specific topic. It allows researchers to gather evidence from multiple studies, ensuring robust and reliable findings. In this context, the systematic review will be employed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention/therapy versus traditional therapy in reducing anxiety symptoms among college students aged 20-24.

Synopsis of the Document

The article by Pilafas, Strongylaki, and Menti (2022) titled “Evaluating and comparing the efficacy of the ‘trans-theoretical model and ‘theory of planned behavior on smoking cessation. A systematic review of the current literature” provides valuable insights into the use of systematic review in health research. The study aimed to compare two behavior change models to assess their efficacy in smoking cessation. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search, evaluated the studies, and synthesized the findings to draw meaningful conclusions. This systematic review serves as a helpful example of how this research method can be utilized to assess interventions and inform evidence-based practices.

Using Systematic Review in My Research

For my research on reducing anxiety symptoms among college students, I plan to use systematic review as follows:

Literature Search: I will conduct an exhaustive search of reputable databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library, to identify relevant studies on mindfulness-based intervention/therapy and traditional therapy for anxiety reduction in college students aged 20-24.

Inclusion Criteria: I will define specific inclusion criteria, such as the study design (randomized controlled trials), the target population (college students aged 20-24), the intervention (mindfulness-based therapy), and the outcome (anxiety symptom reduction).

Data Extraction: I will extract relevant data from the selected studies, including sample size, intervention details, control group information, and outcome measures.

Quality Assessment: I will critically appraise the methodological quality of each study using standardized tools to ensure that only high-quality research is included in the systematic review.

Data Synthesis: I will synthesize the findings from the included studies to identify common trends, effect sizes, and overall efficacy of mindfulness-based intervention/therapy versus traditional therapy in reducing anxiety symptoms.

Interpretation of Results: I will interpret the results of the systematic review and discuss their implications for clinical practice and future research.

Conclusion

Utilizing systematic review in my research on reducing anxiety symptoms in college students will provide a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention/therapy. By synthesizing data from multiple studies, I can make more informed decisions about the most appropriate therapeutic approach for this specific population. Systematic review ensures rigor and transparency, enhancing the credibility and relevance of my research findings for the improvement of mental health interventions in college settings.