The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Jordanian Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Comparing the Efficacy of Foot Reflexology and Benson's Relaxation on Anxiety and Physiologic Parameters After Cesarean Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of foot reflexology and Benson's relaxation on anxiety and physiologic parameters after cesarean surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms.

SETTING

Gynecologic ward of the Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital in Bushehr, Iran, in 2020.

PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Women undergoing cesarean surgery (n = 135) were selected by convenience sampling and divided via block randomization into three groups of foot reflexology, Benson's relaxation interventions, and control group (n = 45 in each group). Interventions were performed 2 hours after cesarean surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, mercury sphygmomanometer, and pulse oximeter were used to collect the data. Anxiety was measured before and 30 minutes after the intervention. Physiologic parameters were measured before the intervention and immediately, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after the intervention. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The mean score of situational anxiety after the intervention was significantly lower than before the intervention in the reflexology (t = 6.171; 95% confidence interval [CI] [5.66, 11.14]) and Benson's relaxation groups (t = 7.362; 95% CI [5.91, 9.85]). However, changes in the control group were not significant (t = 1.674; 95% CI [-0.24, 2.55]). Decreases in anxiety scores were similar in the two intervention groups. After intervention, in most measurement times, respiratory rate and pulse rate decreased in the two intervention groups compared to the control group, and arterial oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure increased.

CONCLUSION

Considering the effect of both interventions on decreasing anxiety and improving most physiologic parameters, it seems that foot reflexology and Benson's relaxation can be recommended after cesarean surgery.

The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients with Thalassemia Major: A Clinical Trial

Thalassemia major is the most common chronic blood disease in the world, especially in Asia and Iran, and it gives rise to anxiety and reduces quality of life [QOL] in patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety and QOL in patients with thalassemia major. This semi-experimental clinical trial study was conducted on 140 patients with thalassemia major in two intervention groups [n = 70] and control group [n = 70] in Ali Asghar Hospital, Zahedan.The data were collected using a demographic information form, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF [WHOQOL-BREF] and self-report checklist. The control group received routine care, whereas the intervention group, we first completed the questionnaires; then, Benson relaxation technique was taught to each patient in three one-hour sessions in the presence of a family member for three consecutive days. Finally, they were asked to practice this technique twice a day for 12 weeks. The questionnaires were completed again one and three months after the intervention. Data analysis showed no significant difference between the mean scores of anxiety and QOL and its dimensions in the two groups at baseline [P > 0.001]. One and three months after the relaxation technique, however, the intervention group experienced a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of anxiety and QOL and its dimensions [P < 0.001]. The results confirmed that Benson Relaxation Technique reduces anxiety and improves the QOL of patients with thalassemia major. Clinical Trials Registration: IRCT20200926048842N2.

Comparison of the effects of Benson relaxation technique and nature sounds on pain, anxiety, and body image in burn-injured patients admitted to the burn ICU: A single-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Burn patients feel a lot of physiological and mental stress during treatment and rehabilitation which often cause anxiety and body image dissatisfaction. This study aimed to compare the effects of the Benson relaxation technique and nature sounds on pain anxiety and body image in burn-injured patients admitted to a burn intensive care unit (BICU).

METHODS

This single-blind randomized clinical trial studied 60 burn patients allocated into three groups (Benson relaxation, nature sounds, and control) from September 2021 to February 2022. The patients received the intervention for seven consecutive days in person. Burn Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS), was completed on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days. The intervention continued for four weeks measuring body image using the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP) at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weeks. Finally, the data were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Bonferroni post hoc test, repeated measures ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, and Generalize Estimating Equations (GEE).

RESULTS

The mean pain anxiety and dissatisfaction with the appearance were high in the three groups in the pretest. On the 7th day after the intervention, the ANOVA showed that the mean pain anxiety decreased significantly in Benson's relaxation and nature sounds groups in three stages (before intervention (S1), after intervention (S2) and immediately after dressing change (S3) (P < 0.001). Correspondingly, the Kruskal Wallis test revealed that the body image dissatisfaction decreased significantly in the three groups at the end of the 3rd and 5th weeks (P < 0.001). The mean scores of pain anxiety showed that the nature sounds group proved more effective than the Benson relaxation technique. Also, the means scores of body image satisfaction showed that the Benson relaxation technique proved more effective than nature sounds.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggested that the Benson relaxation technique and nature sounds effectively reduces pain, anxiety, and improves body image satisfaction in patients with burn injuries.

Relaxation and related therapies for people with multiple sclerosis (MS): A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To establish the effectiveness of relaxation and related therapies in treating Multiple Sclerosis related symptoms and sequelae.

DATA SOURCES

PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global databases were searched.

METHODS

We included studies from database inception until 31 December 2021 involving adult participants diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or disseminated sclerosis, which featured quantitative data regarding the impact of relaxation interventions on multiple sclerosis-related symptoms and sequelae. Studies which examined multi-modal therapies - relaxation delivered in combination with non-relaxation interventions - were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Risk of Bias tool for randomised trials - ROB2, Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions ROBINS-I), and within and between-group effects were calculated (Hedges' g).

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria. Twenty-three of these were randomised controlled trials, with 1246 total participants. This review reports on this data, with non-randomised study data reported in supplemental material. Post -intervention relaxation was associated with medium to large effect-size improvement for depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue. The effects of relaxation were superior to wait-list or no treatment control conditions; however, comparisons with established psychological or physical therapies were mixed. Individual studies reported sustained effects (≤ 6 months) with relaxation for stress, pain and quality of life. Most studies were rated as having a high/serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

There is emerging evidence that relaxation therapies can improve outcomes for persons with multiple sclerosis. Given the high risk of bias found for included studies, stronger conclusions cannot be drawn.