SITH-S FINAL YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS'S BRAINWAVE PROFILE BEFORE AND AFTER COACHING SESSION PRIOR TO BACHELOR THESIS DEFENSE

• Main Author: Zhahira Maharani Suripto, Salma
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/74970
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Academic workload is the main factor causing stress among university students, which, if left unaddressed, can lead to various mental health disorders. Coaching is one of the non-clinical psychological approach that provides a systematic framework for setting future goals and personal development of the clients. This research aims to determine the influence of coaching on stress management among final-year students of the School of Life Sciences and Technology (SITH-S) at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) prior to their final bachelor thesis defense. The influence is quantified using the Muse™ electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures alpha and beta waves as representations of brain activity during stress conditions. A total of 11 student participants underwent coaching sessions lasting 30-45 minutes, either online or offline, while wearing the Muse™ EEG device. Baseline conditions were recorded for 2 minutes before and after the coaching session and were used for analysis. The results showed that the mean Power Spectral Density (PSD) values of alpha waves from both baseline conditions indicated a non-significant decrease in the anterior frontal area (AF7 and AF8) and temporoparietal area (TP9 and TP10) of the brain. In contrast, the mean of beta wave values showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in the left anterior frontal area (AF7). The results of PSD value analysis at each alpha frequency (8 - 13 Hz) showed a decrease trend, indicating increased alertness and cognitive processing. However, there was a peak alpha value at the 9 Hz (low-alpha) frequency in each channel and condition, and a significant decrease in alpha waves (8 - 13 Hz) at the 12 and 13 Hz (high-alpha) frequencies in channels AF8 and TP9, suggesting that the participants were not experiencing high levels of stres. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in PSD value of beta waves frequency (13 - 30 Hz) at the 18-23 Hz and 25-30 Hz in channel AF7, 16 Hz in channel AF8, and 13 Hz and 29 Hz in channel TP9, all of which fall within the mid-beta and high-beta spectra, indicating a reduction in stress and high levels of anxiety after the coaching sessions. Another parameter, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA), showed high alpha wave activity in the left hemisphere compared to the right, representing the persistence of negative motivation and avoidance behavior (Behavioral Inhibition System) experienced when discussing the topic of their bachelor thesis defense during the coaching session. In conclusion, coaching has the potential to assist students in preparing for their bachelor thesis defense by reducing stress levels, although multiple sessions conducted gradually may yield more effective results.