Effect of Benson relaxation technique on the preoperative anxiety and hemodynamic status: A single blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Preoperative anxiety is a challenge in most surgical interventions that needs to be taken into consideration. This trial assessed the effect of relation technique on the anxiety and hemodynamic response in patients undergoing surgical procedures. Methods This single blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients who were candidates for coronary artery bypass graft, coronary angiography, percutaneous intervention, or general surgery at Ekbatan and Besat Hospitals, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, from March to August 2014. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received Benson's relaxation technique, a half an hour before surgical procedures. The preoperative anxiety and hemodynamic status (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) were evaluated before and after intervention. Results Of 166 patients identified, 144 patients enrolled into the study. No patient declined follow-up. The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients in the intervention and control groups were nearly the same. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, the average number of heart rates and respiratory rates declined significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P  Conclusion This trial indicated that Benson's relaxation technique is a safe method with no adverse effects with significant beneficial effect on preoperative anxiety and hemodynamic responses in patients who were candidates for surgical procedures. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials registration number: IRCT201312249014N19. http://www.irct.ir/searchresult.php?id=9014&number=19 .