An experimental analysis to monitor and manage stress among engineering students using Galvanic Skin Response meter

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper studies the impact of musical religious songs (hymns) for managing stress of Indian Engineering students through Galvanic Skin Response (GSR).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to find out, whether listening to hymns is able to reduce the value of GSR.

METHODS: Sample students were selected through initial screening and the students who reported high mental stress during the interview were selected for the main drills. All the readings were taken using a GSR meter. Statistical t-test was used for the purpose of hypothesis testing.

RESULTS: The study examines the relation between GSR and stress. The results indicated that listening to hymns had a significant effect on the value of GSR. The results highlight that GSR decreased at t = 300 seconds for the experimental group, who listened to hymns, as compared to control group (not exposed to the same).

CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, this amazingly effortless and yet highly efficient traditional technique of listening to hymns be made a part of student’s routine curriculum. The paper aims at spreading awareness of listening to hymns as one of the modes of Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering Students.

Keywords

Hymns GSR GSR sensor

1 Introduction

More than 0.1 million lives are lost every year due to suicide in India [1]. A majority of the suicides (37.8%) are by those below the age of 30 and 71% of suicides are by people below the age of 44 [1]. This inflicts an enormous social, emotional and economic burden on society. A social and public health response, in addition to a mental health response, is critical to bring down the incidence of such high suicidal behavior in India.

Stress is thought to be a major contributor to this high incidence of suicides. Moscicki [2] observed that a stressful life event, such as the death of a partner or termination from employment, may lead to suicide. However, such happenings are more likely to act as activators in already susceptible people. Maris [3] and Vilhjalmsson et al. [4] have concluded in their research that high levels of apparent stress have been commonly found in people with suicidal tendencies. Physiological changes of chronic stress have been connected with suicide [5, 6].

Willenberg [7] reported an increase of the adrenal cortex in suicide victims. College students are a group mainly prone to stress due to the intermediary nature of college life [8]. This paper deals with monitoring and management of stress level in engineeringstudents by exposing them to listening to hymns. The study uses Galvanic Skin Response meter for measuring levels of GSR. The GSR readings of a person depend on his/her emotional reactions which effect the salt and water in his/her sweat gland ducts. As per manual, the range of 75 (stressed) to 50 (unstressed) is specified. However it may also vary from person to person due to variation in the physiologicalparameters [33].

2 Theoretical framework

Selye defined stress as a physiological non-specific reaction to exterior or interior demands [9]. Kelloway & Day [10] focused on building healthy work place, which helps to overcome stress to a significant degree. Therefore, it is not only the stressor that causes stress but also the individual’s perspicacity and emotional response matter a lot. University students are increasingly getting into stressful situations [11].

The troubles encountered by students may be different from those faced by their nonstudent peers. There is increased emphasis on getting high-quality grades and a degree [12]. Getting low grades is not the only basis of stress for students. There are other significant sources of stress, which include home assignments and uncomfortable classrooms [13]. The sources of stress amongst students may be academic needs, relationships with teachers and academic time pressure [14]. In addition, relationships with family and friends, eating and sleeping habits and isolation may affect the students unfavorably [11, 15]. Redhwan [16] found lack of sleep, financial and family problems as causes of stress amongst students. The present progression in technology and increasing workload is frequently escorted by stress. As a product of a small amount of physical factors in certain job-related events, the emotional snag termed as psychological stress takes place.

The present study focuses on using Galvanic Skin Resistance, measured by a GSR meter. GSR is momentary decrease in the apparent electrical resistance of the skin resulting from activity of the sweat glands in response to mental or emotional stimulation. The GSR meter is a sensor that is based on the principle of the Wheatstone bridge. The nervous system uses electrical impulses that are affected by the person’s thoughts, emotions, physical condition etc. The GSR meter passes a tiny electrical carrier wave (approx. 0.5–3.0 volts) through the body, which picks up the fluctuations in conductance caused by theperson’s overall general mood and emotional reactions to specific stimulus. These changes in conductance (due to moisture level of the skin) are known as the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Digital Electronic Instrument viz. GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) meter has been shown in Figs. 2 and 3. There are research studies supporting GSR as an indicator of stress [17 –19]. GSR is typically acquired in hand fingers and its unit is siemen or mho [33].

Fig.1

Flow Diagram of research process for Experimental Group.

Fig.2

Digital GSR Sensor Meter to measure Galvanic Skin Response (GSR).

Fig.3

GSR Meter attached to hand fingers.

GSR can be used as a measure of emotional and sympathetic responses. This is of interest because the sweat glands are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, so GSR is used as an indication of psychological or physiological arousal. It yields a continuous measure that is related to activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS [20]. The initial steps of research are to find out whether there is a significant difference in mean GSR value of control and experimental group respondents before (t = 0 second) and after the experimentation time (t = 300seconds).

There are different strategies to cope with stress. These include: counseling services, doing meditation, sharing of problems, getting adequate sleep, and going out with friends, listening to music as suggested by different researchers [21 –25]. Music is a skill that articulates feelings and emotions. The effect of music on an individual has attracted a lot of researchers; in particular they are interested in relating music with relaxation and nervousness. How music affects the psycho-physiological parameters like GSR, Heart Rate etc. has been studied by various researchers [26 –30].

The presence of music in our environment has increased dramatically in recent years. It is universal to find people taking interest in music during a number of actions every day although the type of music they listen to varies and is linked to an individual’s liking.

There is sparse literature available on using music for managing stress. A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer and is typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. Guy Beck writing about the significance of music in religious activity says that “Religion and music are understood to be universal features of human culture and society.” In his view, “group performances of sacred songs or hymns consolidated various human communities into a religious world of their own, reinforcing identities and boundaries as if by some mysterious thread” [31]. The present study is aimed at finding out whether hymns can be used as stimulus to control stress through GSR.

The hymns in this study are chosen by students in accordance with their religious faith. The experimental group consisted of students following Hindu religion and Sikh religion. The Hindu students opted for chanting of OM and the Sikhs preferred “Satnaam Vaheguru.”

The next step is to find out whether there is a significant difference after exposing the experimental group to hymns.

The related hypothesis is:

There is a significant difference in the mean GSR Value of control group at t = zero seconds and at t = 300 seconds.

There is a significant difference in mean GSR value of experimental group at t = zero seconds and t = 300 seconds.

There is a significant difference in mean GSR value of control group and experimental group at t = zero seconds.

There is a significant difference in mean GSR values of control group and experimental group at t = 300 seconds.

The hypotheses H₃ and H₄ involve comparison of both the groups, the control and experimental. This is essential for gauging the effect of listening to hymns to understand whether it is able to affect the GSR value.

Flow diagram of this process for experimental group is as described in Fig. 1.

3 Research design and methodology

The study used basic laboratory experiment design. In social sciences, the actual laboratory may be a behavioral lab, which is somewhat like a focus group facility. However, it may simply be a room or classroom dedicated to data collection or it can even take place in one’s home. In our case it was a room. Through this the researcher has more complete control over the research setting and extraneous variables. An experimental group and a control group participated in the study.

GSR readings were taken before and after listening to hymns (drill) for 200 respondents comprising of the experimental group while 200 respondents constituting the control group. were not exposed to any hymns.

Readings were noted for t = 0 and t = 300 seconds for both experimental and control group. $\begin{matrix} Experimental group : X & O 1 E & O 2 E \\ Control group : & O 1 C & O 2 C \end{matrix}$ Where X = exposure of a group to an experimental treatment and O = observation.

3.1 Participants

The study uses a stratified random sampling method for choosing the sample. The strata of state universities of engineering (one private and other government) have been chosen for the study. Then sub-strata consist of four branches, viz. Civil, Computer, Electronics and Communication and Mechanical Engineering from each university. The study was executed in two phases, as mentioned below:

Phase 1: Initial Study was conducted on 471 Engineering students, in the age group of 18 to 22 years, (who volunteered), from four streams i.e. Civil, Computer, Electronics and Communication and Mechanical Engineering. They were selected from two state universities of Engineering (one private and other government) as shown in Table 1.

Table 1
Details of the subjects

Type of University Trade Total Control Group Experimental

Group

Government University of Engineering Civil Engineering 56 25 25

Computer Engineering 60 25 25

Electronics and Communication Engineering 54 25 25

Mechanical Engineering 58 25 25

Private University of Engineering Civil Engineering 56 25 25

Computer Engineering 63 25 25

Electronics and Communication Engineering 61 25 25

Mechanical Engineering 63 25 25

471 200 200

Type of University	Trade	Total	Control Group	Experimental
Government University of Engineering	Civil Engineering	56	25	25
	Computer Engineering	60	25	25
	Electronics and Communication Engineering	54	25	25
	Mechanical Engineering	58	25	25
Private University of Engineering	Civil Engineering	56	25	25
	Computer Engineering	63	25	25
	Electronics and Communication Engineering	61	25	25
	Mechanical Engineering	63	25	25
		471	200	200

The choice of the two universities was made on the basis of ratings at state and national level. Thapar University (private University) has been placed at very high positions in the Independent Surveys by Media Houses [32].

Phase 2: Final selection of 400 subjects as shown in Table 1 for the study was done on the basis of their self-observation about exhibiting stress through a short questionnaire. They were classified as Experimental Group (200 students), who were found to be stressed (as shown in Table 1). The remaining 200 students constituted the Control Group (as shown in Table 1). Both the groups constituted similar population. The experimental group had revealed high willingness (as they reported that they were stressed) for listening to hymns and they strongly wished to get the GSR level monitored through GSR meter.

Phase 3: The researchers investigated the effects of listening to hymns on physiological parameter GSR monitored through digital electronic meter. After taking the permission from ethical committee for conducting this experimental study, the 400 respondents were also requested to sign a consent form. For experimental recordings, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) Meter [33] was used, which carried out non destructive testing on the participants.

3.2 Procedure

The following steps were followed for control and experimental group (Table 1):

The subjects were made to sit in comfortable and relaxing chair. The hand portion was made fully moisture free.

The meter electrodes were attached to fore finger and first finger of their hand. The initial reading of the GSR (siemen) was recorded using GSR meter at t = zero seconds.

Experimental subject was made to listen to hymns for 300 seconds.

Meanwhile, the meter was kept attached to the participant for 300 seconds. The control group was not exposed to hymns. Again the reading of the GSR was recorded at t = 300 seconds. The same process of recording the GSR reading was repeated for all 400 students. The way it was done has been depicted through Figs. 4–6. The instructions for the use of meter were followed as given in its manual [33]. The time frame for carrying out the experiment was May 02 to June 18, 2015. The whole process was repeated for all 400 subjects during 48 days.

Fig.4

GSR Sensor Meter testing on a Subject to measure GSR.

Fig.5

GSR Meter with Laptop (for input of Audio Musical Stimulus) and stopwatch stopwatch.

Fig.6

GSR Meter attached to one of the subjects with Religious Hymns music input through headphones for recording.

4 Results

The results of the study have been discussed in this section for the control and experimental group. t-test has been used for studying the differences.

4.1 Control group

As highlighted through Table 2, the mean value of control group recorded through GSR is 63.58 (pre) and 68.69 (post) with a variance of 199.41 and 208.99. The value of t-Statistics is 11.97 and is greater than value of t-Critical two-tail (2.60) and p value ≤ 0.01. So the hypothesis H₁: there is significant difference in the mean GSR Value of control group at t = zero seconds and t = 300 seconds has been accepted. The increase in mean value from 63.58 (t = zero seconds) to 68.69 (t = 300 seconds) reflects an increase in mean GSR.

Table 2
Statistical analysis for all groups (Pre & Post) GSR (siemen) values

t-Test: Paired Two Control Group (No Treatment) Experimental Group

Sample for Means With Out listening to Hymns (Listening to Hymns)

t = 0 second (Pre) t = 300 seconds (Post) t = 0 second (Pre) t = 300 seconds (Post)

Mean 63.58 68.69 69.39 62.61

Variance 199.41 208.99 250.27 299.54

t Stat –11.97 8.51 19.35 –

p value ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.001 –

t Critical two-tail 2.60 2.60 2.60 –

t-Test: Paired Two	Control Group (No Treatment)	Experimental Group
Mean	63.58	68.69	69.39	62.61
Variance	199.41	208.99	250.27	299.54
t Stat	–11.97	8.51	19.35	–
p value	≤0.001	≤0.001	≤0.001	–
t Critical two-tail	2.60	2.60	2.60	–

4.2 Experimental group

The subjects chosen for this group were those who reported high stress levels. As reflected through Table 2 the mean value of GSR is 69.39 at t = 0 seconds. The subjects were made to listen to hymns and the mean value of GSR is 62.61 at t = 300 seconds. The variance recorded is 250.27 and 299.54 respectively for pre and post. The value of t-Statistics is 19.35, which is greater than t Critical two-tail (2.60), and p value ≤ 0.01. Thus, hypothesis H₂: there is a significant difference in mean GSR value of experimental group at t = zero seconds and t = 300 seconds has also been accepted. Thus, it can be inferred that there is a significant reduction in the mean GSR after listening to hymns. The results highlight that the experimental group experienced lower levels of GSR after listening to hymns. In contrast to results of control group (where the mean registered an increase, from pre testing to post testing results of GSR), in this case the mean value decreased from 69.39 (t = Zerosecond) to 62.61 (t = 300 seconds) reflecting a decrease in GSR for experimental group. Mean GSR reading was higher at t = 300 seconds, for the control group who were not listening to any music.

Table 2 shows the comparison in the mean GSR between control group at t = zero seconds and experimental group at t = zero seconds. The mean value of GSR = 63.58 for the control group at t = zero seconds and for experimental group at t = zero seconds, the mean value of GSR is 69.39 with a variance of 199.41 and 250.27 respectively. The result highlights that the value of t Stat = 8.18 is greater than t Critical two-tail (2.60) and p value ≤ 0.01. Thus, there is a significant difference in the GSR reading. Mean GSR is higher for Experimental group at t = zero seconds.

Therefore hypothesis H₃: there is a significant difference in mean GSR value of control group and experimental group at t = zero seconds, is accepted.

It can be seen from Table 2 that the Mean value of GSR = 68.69 for the Control Group at t = 300 seconds and for experimental group at t = 300 seconds Mean value of GSR = 62.61 with a variance of 208.99 and 299.54 respectively. As shown through Table 2 the Mean Value control (68.69) is greater than value of Mean Value Experimental (62.61) at t = 300 seconds. Also t Stat = 8.51 is greater than value of t Critical two-tail (2.6), p value ≤ 0.01. Thus, the hypothesis H₄: there is a significant difference in mean GSR values of control group and experimental group at t = 300 seconds has also been accepted. Thus, there is a significant difference in the mean GSR. But, in this case, the mean value decreased from 68.69 (t = 300 seconds) to 62.61 (t = 300 seconds). This shows that mean GSR decreased for experimental group at t = 300 seconds as compared to control group at t = 300 seconds. More interesting results of this study have been shown through Table 3, where the pre and post mean GSR values for both groups are compared. More t-test statistics for both groups are provided in Appendix 1. This has been discussed in next section.

Table 3
Mean GSR value pre and post for control and experimental groups

S No. Type of Group with Mean t = 0 second t = 300 seconds

GSR value (siemen) (Pre Value) (Post Value)

1 Mean Value for Control Group 63.58 68.69

2 Mean Value for Experimental Group 69.39 62.61

S No.	Type of Group with Mean	t = 0 second	t = 300 seconds
1	Mean Value for Control Group	63.58	68.69
2	Mean Value for Experimental Group	69.39	62.61

5 Discussion

The Table 3 presents the consolidated results of pre and post mean GSR. The results reflect higher initial GSR value for experimental group as compared to control group. The graphical analysis of each subject for both the groups (control and experimental) has also been projected through Fig. 7 (t = 0) and Fig. 8 (t = 300). Further results also highlight that control group, which was not subjected to listening to hymns reported higher mean GSR value for t = 300 seconds, while the experimental group exposed to listening to hymns reported lower mean GSR values. This is throwing light on interesting results reflecting a positive influence of hymns on controlling GSR.

Fig.7

Plot of Mean GSR vs Subjects (at t = 0 second) for Control Group and Experimental Group.

Fig.8

Plot of Mean GSR vs Subjects (at t = 300 seconds) for Control Group and Experimental Group.

The groups were different as they were from four different branches of engineering, but the control and experimental group had mixed students from all branches, The experimental group reported that they experienced stress, which was validated through high mean GSR value of this group. In contrast control group has lower mean GSR value in the beginning (at t = zero seconds). The results are indicating that the experimental group having high mean GSR reading when subjected to listening to hymns reported decreased mean GSR value and probably, their stress decreased. Why the control group experienced higher GSR needs to be tested further through repeated experimentation? It could be sitting idle without any activity may have increased the GSR at t = 300 seconds.

According to the World Health Organization, Global load of disease study ranked stress and depression as the fourth leading cause of all disease accounting for 4.1% of total burden [34]. Stress is seen as contemporary society’s sickness byprofessionals from dissimilar sectors. It has effects on people’s behavior, interactions and competence. Stress was described as a connection between individuals and their surroundings that is evaluated as perilous and evaluated as beyond their potential to pact with stress [25]. The stress or depression among students especially youth may force them to hook on to drugs or to commit suicide, due to poor grades or any other reason. Rao [35] focused on latest suicidal measure taken by IIT-Bombay, which has proposed to set up a committee to look into the changes that need to be brought about in the counseling services offered by the institute. Earlier Joshi et al. [36] had proposed the development of stress monitoringlaboratory in Indian educational institutes equipped with modern electronic instruments as well as some scientifically proven stress relaxation therapies. This would help in monitoring of physiological parameters leading to mental stresses for students [37].

College/University life is a stressful time for many students as they go through the process of adapting to new educational and social environments. Relationships among life stress, social support and academic stressors were investigated. It has been reported by researchers that our present educational system has become more mechanical and it fails to nurture an all round development of the personality of thestudents [38].

Music has a unique link to our emotions, so it can be an extremely effective stress management tool. [39]. Listening to music can have a relaxing effect on our minds and bodies.

As music can absorb our attention, it acts as a distraction at the same time it helps to exploreemotions [40]. It has been known that severe stress lasting weeks or months can impair cell communication in the brain’s learning and memory region, but this study provides the first evidence that short-term stress or acute stress has the same effect.

Acute stress activates selective molecules called corticotrophin releasing hormones, which disrupt the process by which the brain collects and stores memories through cells [41].

Hence in this study the authors used listening to hymns (as stimuli) and GSR meter to monitor effects of hymns on the GSR. The GSR analysis under various stimuli, have been proved by many researchers. Salam [42] explained GSR, a well-known somatic marker, may be useful in monitoring objective bodily response during music experience. Music listening has been suggested to impact health beneficially via stress-reducing effects. Wiand et al. [43] found that the benefits of music reach beyond psychological difficulties into areas experienced as greater perceptions of interconnectedness on a multitude of levels, which may be described as including expanded states of perceptions or expanded states of awareness. Thoma et al. [44] indicated that music listening impacted the psychobiological stress system. Listening to music prior to a standardized stressor predominantly affected the autonomic nervous system (in terms of a faster recovery) and to a lesser degree the endocrine and psychological stress response [45].

These findings may help in understanding the beneficial effects of music on the human body and mind. So through this experimental analysis, it has been proved that, GSR technique with listening to hymns can be recommended as an effective technique for monitoring and controlling stress.

6 Conclusion

The above statistical analyses reflects, that listening to hymns has a significant effect on the GSR (as it was found to be reduced extensively) using GSR meter. The mean GSR value was 63.58 (at t = zero) for control group and 68.69 (at t = zero) for experimental group. Then at t = 300 seconds the mean GSR value got decreased from 69.39 to 62.61 for experimental group. As reported by researchers GSR is an evaluator of stress [18 , 33]. The results of the present study indicate that the stress level got decreased for experimental group. In case of control group, not subjected to listening of hymns, it reflected an increase at t = 300 seconds. The avoidance of stress in the educational environment is impossible, but based on the above findings; it is proposed that the techniques like listening to hymns can be recommended in educational institutes for decreasing the stress level. The present study underlines the significance of application of GSR technology in our routine life too as a bio feedback sensor, especially for the students [46]. The researchers have investigated physical and psychological issues of work and job stress in various types of industries [47 –50]. As engineering students have to work in industries, so for better quality of stress free life and improved employability skills, such innovative activities should be developed to ascertain the sustainable academic’s abilities of students. To control the outcome of stress properly, there are certain precautions and methods that should be taken that will boost productivity [51]. This may boost the efficiency of students and assist in dealing with the critical issue of suicides and many other crimes, thus contributing to healthy social system.

7 Limitations of the study

Like any research study, the present study also has some limitations. One limitation is that of the time of experimentation. The participants’ subjective feedback at t = 300 seconds would have added more inputs and deepened the analysis. Further, this study can be extended and repeated experimentation may be performed. This would help in finding out whether participants’ GSR levels is usually reduced by listening to hymns. This is an initial effort and results are encouraging. Effort should be made to find out whether the students were feeling stressed before or after the test for both the control and theexperimental group and how this compares to the GSR levels. Repeated experiments will also help in finding out how long do the lowered GSR levels remain.

8 Recommendations for further research

Based on the above findings, it is proposed that listening to hymns can be adopted as a strategy to manage stress in educational institutions. The study used a recommended GSR technology and recommends its usage to examine the levels of stress [52 –55]. The study can be extended to use various other stress management techniques and measuring GSR to understand for deeper analysis. Somesuggested techniques could be yoga [56], deep breathing exercises [57], listening to flute etc. Also a few different techniques of stimuli like Indian music or western music or deep breathing can be applied to see their effects on GSR values. The other physiological parameters like pulse rate and blood pressure can also be tested in addition to GSR. It is time to think intensely about managing and controlling stress as it is deep-rooted malaise and tackling it is the immediate concern.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Footnotes

Appendix 1

Statistical analysis for all groups (Pre & Post) GSR (siemen) Values

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