A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the progressive muscle relaxation technique in hip fracture patients.

The purpose of this research was to ascertain how progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique affected hip fracture patients' anxiety, sleep quality, and post-operative pain. This parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 patients with hip fracture hospitalized in one of the reference orthopedic hospitals in Tehran, Iran who were selected using convenience sampling and randomly were placed in two PMR group (n = 50) and control group (n = 50). Data were collected by Demographic information questionnaire, Visual analogue scale for pain rating, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The PMR technique was the progressive muscle relaxation technique, which was started the night after the surgery for three nights before going to bed. Data were collected on two occasions, including before the PMR technique and the day after the last stage of the PMR technique. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed significant within-group changes in both groups' post-operative pain, sleep quality, and anxiety scores (P < 0.001). The progressive muscle relaxation group experienced decreased post-operative pain and anxiety scores and increased sleep quality scores (P < 0.001). The linear mixed model showed that the absolute changes in the follow-up post-operative pain, sleep quality, and anxiety scores were 1.19 and 7.94 units, significantly lower than the baseline, respectively. The results revealed significant within-group changes in both groups' post-operative pain, sleep quality, and anxiety scores (P < 0.001). The progressive muscle relaxation group experienced decreased post-operative pain and anxiety scores and increased sleep quality scores (P < 0.001). The study's findings demonstrated the beneficial effects of progressive muscle relaxation on hip fracture patients' outcomes, such as their level of anxiety, sleep quality, and post-operative pain. The study's findings can be applied by medical professionals to improve patient satisfaction and care quality.This clinical trial has been registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under the code IRCT20231120060119N1, which was approved on 7/12/2023.

Comparative effects of post isometric relaxation technique and Bowen's therapy on pain, range of motion and function in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder.

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of mouth and facial pain is a temporomandibular joint disorder, which affects the patient's quality of life and interferes with their ability to perform daily tasks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to compare the effects of the Post-Isometric Relaxation Technique and Bowen's Therapy on pain, range of motion and functional activity in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 24 participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the lottery method. Baseline treatment was the same (ultrasound and tapping) in both groups. Group 1 (12 participants) was treated with a post-isometric relaxation technique, and Group 2 (12 participants) with Bowen's therapy for two sessions per week (total duration of 4 weeks). Outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Maximal mouth opening inter-incisal rural and jaw functional limitation scale-20. SPSS version 25 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A significant improvement in pain, range of motions and functional activities in the post-isometric group showed significant results (p < 0.05) as compared to Bowen's group (independent t-test). However, within-group comparison (paired t-test), both groups showed significant results (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that post-isometric relaxation was more effective in terms of pain, range of motions for mouth opening, lateral deviations and functional activity of temporomandibular joint disorder patients. However, both groups showed clinical results according to minimal clinical difference values. TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: The trial is registered under ClinicalTrials.govt with reference no. ID: NCT05392049 registered on 26/05/2022.

Relaxation Therapy and Human Milk Feeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Human milk feeding is a key public health goal to optimize infant and maternal/parental health, but global lactation outcomes do not meet recommended duration and exclusivity. There are connections between lactation and mental health. Objective: To appraise all available evidence on whether the provision of relaxation interventions to lactating individuals improves lactation and well-being. Data Sources: Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched on September 30, 2023, and topic experts were consulted. Study Selection: Two independent reviewers screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were full-text, peer-reviewed publications with a randomized clinical trial design. Techniques that were entirely physical (eg, massage) were excluded. A total of 7% of initially identified studies met selection criteria. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Fixed-effects meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations guidelines were used to synthesize and present evidence. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prespecified primary outcomes were human milk quantity, length and exclusivity of human milk feeding, milk macronutrients/cortisol, and infant growth and behavior. Results: A total of 16 studies were included with 1871 participants (pooled mean [SD] age for 1656 participants, 29.6 [6.1] years). Interventions were music, guided relaxation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises/muscle relaxation. Provision of relaxation was not associated with a change in human milk protein (mean difference [MD], 0 g/100 mL; 95% CI, 0; 205 participants). Provision of relaxation was associated with an increase in human milk quantity (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.89; 464 participants), increased infant weight gain in breastfeeding infants (MD, z score change = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.72; 226 participants), and a slight reduction in stress and anxiety (SMD stress score, -0.49; 95% CI, -0.70 to -0.27; 355 participants; SMD anxiety score, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.67 to -0.22; 410 participants). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that provision of relaxation was associated with an increase in human milk quantity and infant weight gain and a slight reduction in stress and anxiety. Relaxation interventions can be offered to lactating parents who would like to increase well-being and improve milk supply or, where directly breastfeeding, increase infant weight gain.

Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation technique in primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (JPMRT) on menstrual pain and symptoms, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), social activity, and work/school performance in primary dysmenorrhea (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with PD were randomly divided into two groups as relaxation and control groups. JPMRT was applied three times a week from the estimated date of ovulation to the onset of the next menstruation. No treatment was performed in the control group. Pain intensity, menstrual symptoms, anxiety, impacts on QoL, social activity, and work/school performance were assessed before and after the interventions. RESULTS: After the interventions, there was a further decrease in menstrual pain intensity, menstrual symptoms, anxiety level, the impact of QoL, and the work/school performance scores in the relaxation group than in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: JPMRT might be used as an alternative method in the treatment of PD.

The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise applied to lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy on dyspnea, pain and sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is the analysis of how progressive muscle relaxation exercise affects dyspnea, pain and sleep quality in patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with lung cancer were included in this randomized controlled study. A total of 16 sessions of progressive muscle relaxation exercises were applied to the patients in the intervention group for a duration of 30 min, 2 days a week for 8 weeks. Patient Information Form, Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MRC dyspnea scale), Pitssburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analog Scale- Pain (VAS-P) were used to collect data. RESULTS: Socio-demographic and disease characteristics were found to be similar in control and intervention groups. Final scores indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in all variables. The experimental group showed significantly more favorable results in dyspnea (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.003) and sleep (p < 0.001) symptoms. When the effect size values (Cohen's d) of these findings were analyzed, PMR exercise was found to have a moderate effect on mean VAS-P scores (0.548) and a large effect on mean MRC dyspnea scale (1.073) and PSQI (0.970) scores. These results indicated significant differences in pre and post intervention mean scores. CONCLUSION: Progressive muscle relaxation exercise applied to lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was found to be effective in reducing dyspnea and pain severity and improving sleep quality. Clinical trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04978805.

The impact of sleep education, light intervention and relaxation on sleep and mood in the elderly.

Sleep and light education (SLE) combined with relaxation is a potential method of addressing sleep and affective problems in older people. 47 participants took part in a four-week sleep education program. SLE was conducted once a week for 60-90 minutes. Participants were instructed on sleep and light hygiene, sleep processes, and practiced relaxation techniques. Participants were wearing actigraphs for 6 weeks, completed daily sleep diaries, and wore blue light-blocking glasses 120 minutes before bedtime. Measures included scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and actigraphy measurements of sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and sleep fragmentation. Sleep quality increased after SLE based on the subjective assessment and in the objective measurement with actigraphy. PSQI scores were statistically reduced indicating better sleep. Scores after the intervention significantly decreased in ESS and ISS. Sleep latency significantly decreased, whereas sleep efficiency and fragmentation index (%), did not improve. Mood significantly improved after SLE, with lower scores on the BDI-II and STAI. SLE combined with relaxation proved to be an effective method to reduce sleep problems and the incidence of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

The effects of web-based animation-supported progressive relaxation exercises applied to individuals with epilepsy on fatigue and sleep quality: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to determine the effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercise, supported by mobile-based animation, on fatigue and sleep quality of individuals with epilepsy. MATERIAL-METHOD: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled design with a pretest-posttest model on epileptic individuals who applied to Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Neurology Outpatient Clinic between February and December 2022. By using power analysis, the sample of the study was determined as 60 epilepsy patients (30 in the Control Group, 30 in the Experimental Group). The data were collected by face-to-face interview technique with the Personal Information Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean, standard deviations, Pearson Correlation Analysis, Paired t-Test, Student's t-Test, and Chi-Square Test were used in the evaluation of the study data. RESULTS: When the Control Group's mean scores in the pre-test and post-tests, which were performed with an interval of 6 weeks, were compared, a statistically significant difference was detected between the FSS and PSQI scores (p>0.05). The mean Fatigue Severity Scale score was found to be 5.24 ± 0.69 before the Progressive Relaxation Exercises and 3.82 ± 0.77 after the exercises. The mean scores of the individuals on the Fatigue Severity Scale after the relaxation exercises were found to be lower at a statistically significant level than the mean scores before the relaxation exercises (p<0.001). The differences between subjective sleep quality (p<0.001), sleep latency (p<0.001), daytime dysfunction (p<0.001), and total sleep quality (p<0.001) score averages after the Progressive Relaxation Exercises were statistically significant compared to the pre-exercises status. When the post-test scores of the participants in the Experimental Group was examined, significant, moderate, and positive differences were detected between the FSS and Total PSQI scores (r: 0.373-p: 0.042), Subjective Sleep Quality (r: 0.487-p: 0.006), which is one of the sub-dimensions of PSQI, Sleeping Pill Use (r: 0.531-p: 0.003), and Daytime Dysfunction (r: 0.461-p: 0.01) scores. CONCLUSION: It was determined that individuals with epilepsy experience fatigue and deterioration in sleep quality and there is a reciprocal relationship between the severity of fatigue and sleep quality in these individuals. Progressive Relaxation Exercises applied with the animation-supported web-based mobile intervention technique reduce the fatigue levels of individuals and increase sleep quality.

The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises on Sleep Quality in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises (PMRE) on sleep quality in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and experiencing disturbed sleep. METHODS: The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted between March and September 2022 with 69 patients (intervention group: 34 patients, control group: 35 patients) in a hospital chemotherapy unit. During the data collection process, the "Personal Information Form" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)" were utilized. Patients in the intervention group performed PMRE twice a day for 8 weeks. Patients in the control group received routine care at the clinic without additional intervention. For data analysis, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, and chi-square test were used. RESULTS: The sociodemographic attributes of patients within both the intervention and control groups exhibited comparability. However, notable distinctions emerged in the PSQI Global sleep score and PSQI subdimension scores, encompassing sleep latency and duration, subjective sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction between the two groups. The study found a notable difference in scores between the patients in the intervention group and those in the control group. The patients who received the intervention had significantly lower scores (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that PMRE was beneficial in improving sleep quality in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who had poor sleep quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses may consider using PMRE to improve the sleep quality of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Technique on Fatigue and Quality of Life of Patients Diagnosed With Heart Failure.

Patients with heart failure (HF) reported poor quality of life (QOL) due to different reasons among which fatigue is the most important. Improving QOL is a crucial objective for patients with HF and their primary health care providers. Managing fatigue with medication is not enough. Benson's relaxation technique (BRT) is a complementary therapy used to manage fatigue among different populations with limited studies checking its effect among patients diagnosed with HF. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to check the effect of BRT on fatigue and QOL among 140 (68 intervention and 72 control) patients diagnosed with HF. Intervention group performed BRT for 20 minutes twice a day for 2 months. Control group received regular care from their health care providers. At baseline, there were no differences between intervention and control groups regarding fatigue, physical component summary, and mental component summary. At follow-up, intervention group had higher scores in physical and mental component summaries than control group (45.48 ± 10.52 vs 37.97 ± 14.78) and (46.22 ± 8.39 vs 41.01 ± 10.36), respectively. Also, intervention group had lower levels of fatigue than control group (2.54 ± 0.87 vs 6.33 ± 0.61). In conclusion, the use of BRT as a complementary therapy for patients with HF might decrease fatigue level and improve QOL.

Biobehavioral treatments of migraine.

Pharmacotherapies are the mainstays of migraine management, though it is not uncommon for them to be poorly tolerated, contraindicated, or only modestly effective. There is a clear need for nonpharmacologic migraine therapies, either employed alone or in combination with pharmacotherapies. Behavioral and psychosocial factors known to contribute to the onset, exacerbation, and persistence of primary headache disorders (e.g., stress, sleep, diet) serve as targets within a self-management model for migraine-a model that features headache pharmacotherapies, behavioral skills training, medication adherence facilitation, relevant lifestyle changes, and techniques to limit headache-related impairment. Behavioral self-management interventions for migraine with the strongest empirical validation (e.g., relaxation training, biofeedback training, cognitive-behavior therapies) presently are available in specialty headache treatment centers and routinely show promise for reducing headache pain frequency/severity and related impairment, reducing reliance on pharmacotherapies, enhancing personal control over headache activity, and reducing headache-related distress and symptoms. These approaches may be particularly well-suited among patients for whom pharmacotherapies are unwanted, poorly tolerated, or contraindicated. Though underutilized, clinical trials indicate that new and well-established behavioral therapies are similarly effective to migraine medications for migraine prevention among adults and can be successfully employed in various settings.

A pilot trial of a brief intervention for cannabis use supplemented with a substance-free activity session or relaxation training.

OBJECTIVE: Cannabis use is increasing among college students and commonly co-occurs with anxiety symptoms in this age group. Interventions that reduce anxiety may also reduce cannabis use. Behavioral economic theory suggests that substance use reductions are most likely when there is an increase in substance-free reinforcement. This randomized pilot trial evaluated the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) for cannabis supplemented by either a substance-free activity session (SFAS) or a relaxation training (RT) session for reducing cannabis use, problems, craving, and anxiety symptoms. METHOD: One hundred thirty-two college students (Mage = 19.9; 54% female; 67% White, 31% Black) who reported five or more past-month cannabis use days were randomized to: (a) assessment-only (AO); (b) BMI plus SFAS; or (c) BMI plus RT. Participants in the BMI conditions received two individual counselor-administered sessions plus a brief phone booster session. Outcomes were evaluated 1- and 6-months postintervention. RESULTS: Relative to assessment, both BMI + SFAS and BMI + RT were associated with significant reductions in cannabis problems and craving at 1-month follow-up, and significant reductions in anxiety at 6-month follow-up. Relative to AO, BMI + RT was associated with significant reductions in cannabis use at 1-month follow-up. There were no differences between BMI conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial was not adequately powered to conclusively evaluate relative efficacy but provides preliminary support for the short-term efficacy of both two-session interventions for reducing anxiety and cannabis-related risk among nontreatment seeking emerging adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of online health training/counseling and progressive muscle relaxation exercise on postpartum depression and maternal attachment: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of online health training/counseling and a progressive muscle relaxation exercise (PMRE) program on postpartum depression and maternal attachment. METHODS: The present study was a randomized, controlled, experimental trial. Participants were asked to complete the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at 35 weeks of pregnancy. Group assignment was done by stratified block randomization according to EPDS score (0-9, 10-30) and parity. Women in the experimental group received training in progressive muscle relaxation, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment via online video calls twice a week starting at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy. They were asked to complete the PMRE program from 36 weeks of pregnancy until 6 months postpartum, and online counseling was provided throughout this period. Participants completed the Maternal Postpartum Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the EPDS at 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Mean PAI score was 64.24 ± 9.61 in the experimental group before the intervention and 62.14 ± 10.13 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 9.12 ± 5.05 and the mean score of the control group was 9.77 ± 6.30 (P > 0.05). The mean MPAS score after the intervention was 13.92 ± 5.54 in the experimental group and 17.51 ± 6.12 in the control group. The mean EPDS score of the experimental group was 3.40 ± 3.00 and the mean score of the control group was 11.40 ± 5.91 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Online health training/counseling and PMRE reduce the risk of postpartum depression and increase maternal attachment.

Investigation of the effect of Jacobson's relaxation technique on the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Caring for hemodialysis patients could be a heavy burden on family caregivers, causing them to become fatigued and decrease their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate whether Jacobson's relaxation can help alleviate the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2021. Sixty-six family caregivers of hemodialysis patients were recruited by convenience sampling from a referral hospital in Tehran, Iran, and assigned randomly by coin toss to two groups of experimental (n = 32) and control (n = 34). Caregivers in the experimental group performed Jacobson's relaxation three times a week, each time for 30-45 min, for 30 days. The score and severity of fatigue before, 2 weeks after, and 1 month after the intervention were measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale. Data analysis was performed in the statistics software SPSS using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytic statistics (Independent Samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test, and RM-ANOVA test). The significance level was less than 0.05. RESULTS: The fatigue scores of the experimental and control groups were not significantly different before the intervention (4.42 ± 0.42 vs. 4.38 ± 0.42, P = 0.696). However, the experimental group had significantly lower fatigue scores than the control group 2 weeks after the intervention (4.11 ± 0.63 vs. 4.39 ± 0.42, P = 0.036) and 1 month after the intervention (3.5 ± 0.71 vs. 4.4 ± 0.44, P = 0.001). The results also showed a significant drop in the fatigue score of the experimental group after the intervention (P < 0.0001), but no such change in the control group (P = 0.662). CONCLUSION: Jacobson's relaxation technique was effective in alleviating the fatigue of family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Nurses are therefore recommended to promote the technique as a safe and easy method of fatigue management for family caregivers.

Efeito do relaxamento muscular progressivo em adultos com sintomas de ansiedade / Effect of progressive muscle relaxation in adults with anxiety symptoms / Efecto de la relajación muscular progresiva en adultos con síntomas de ansiedad

Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade da aplicação da técnica de relaxamento muscular progressivo de Jacobson na redução de sintomas de ansiedade leves e moderados em adultos. Método: estudo quase-experimental, com amostra de 108 adultos usuários da Estratégia Saúde da Família, realizado entre março e agosto de 2019. Para análise estatística descritiva e inferencial, foram utilizados: medidas de tendência central, Teste Qui-Quadrado de Pearson, Exato de Fisher, Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon (nível de significância de 5%). Resultados: no primeiro momento, os grupos apresentaram homogeneidade em relação às características (p= 0,707) e aos escores dos níveis de ansiedade (p=0,463). No segundo momento, mostraram heterogeneidade e independência relacionados às características (p=0,001) e aos escores (p=0,001). Conclusão: a aplicação da técnica demonstrou melhoria dos sintomas ansiosos do grupo experimental (p=0,001), com maior efetividade nos participantes com sintomas leves (p 0,010), sexo feminino, adulto jovem, histórico de situação estressora recente e com problemas com o sono (p<0,001)(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of applying Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation technique in reducing mild and moderate anxiety symptoms in adults. Method: quasi-experimental study, with a sample of 108 adult users of the Family Health Strategy, carried out from March to August 2019. For descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, the following were used: measures of central tendency, Pearson's Chi-Square Test, Exact Fisher, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon (5% significance level). Results: at first, the groups were homogeneous in terms of characteristics (p=0.707) and anxiety levels scores (p=0.463). In the second moment, they showed heterogeneity and independence related to characteristics (p=0.001) and scores (p=0.001). Conclusion: the application of the technique showed an improvement in anxiety symptoms in the experimental group (p=0.001), with greater effectiveness in participants with mild symptoms (p=0.010), female, young adult, history of recent stressful situation and with problems with sleep (p<0.001)(AU)

Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la aplicación de la técnica de relajación muscular progresiva de Jacobson en la reducción de los síntomas de ansiedad leve y moderada en adultos. Método: estudio cuasiexperimental, con una muestra de 108 adultos usuarios de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, realizado de marzo a agosto de 2019. Para el análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial se utilizaron: medidas de tendencia central, test Chi-Cuadrado de Pearson, Exacto de Fisher, Mann-Whitney y Wilcoxon (nivel de significancia del 5%). Resultados: en un principio, los grupos fueron homogéneos en cuanto a las características (p=0,707) y a los puntajes de niveles de ansiedad (p=0,463). En el segundo momento, mostraron heterogeneidad e independencia respecto a las características (p=0,001) y puntajes (p=0,001). Conclusión: la aplicación de la técnica mostró una mejoría en los síntomas de ansiedad en el grupo experimental (p=0,001), con mayor efectividad en los participantes con síntomas leves (p=0,010), sexo femenino, adulto joven, antecedente de situación estresante reciente y con tratornos de sueño (p<0,001)(AU)

Effect of slow breathing exercise and progressive muscle relaxation technique in the individual with essential hypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to investigate the combined effect of slow breathing exercise (SBE) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and anxiety in patients diagnosed with essential hypertension. TRIAL DESIGN: This study was based on a 4-arm parallel-group, randomized control design. METHODS: Sixty-four participants diagnosed with essential hypertension were randomly allocated into SBE, PMR, SBE-PMR, and Control groups, with 16 subjects each. All 3 groups received different treatments according to their name; however, the Control group received no treatment. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), HR, RR, and anxiety were all evaluated as the study outcomes using a digital sphygmomanometer and perceived stress scale (PSS) at baseline (pretest), 2nd week and 4th weeks post-intervention. A repeated measure analysis of variance test assessed intra-group comparison (overall) analyses across multiple time points. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were used to analyze the mean differences between the groups. The confidence interval was kept at 95% for all the statistical analyses, that is, P < .05 is considered significant. RESULTS: There was a significant change in the HR (F = 239.04, P = .0001), RR (F = 167.74, P = .0001), SBP (F = 266.64, P = .0001), DSP (F = 279.80, P = .0001), and PSS (F = 473.42, P = .0001) as an outcome of baseline measurements versus (vs) the following weeks. There were significant (F = 48.57, P = .001) differences among different training on HR. The SBE vs SBE-PMR showed an insignificant difference (F = 48.54, P = 1.000). The RR showed significant differences (F = 32.05, 0.0001) between the SBE vs PMR, SBE vs Control, PMR vs Control, and SBE-PMR vs Control groups and insignificant differences for the SBE vs SBE-PMR and PMR vs SBE-PMR groups. The SBE vs SBE-PMR groups showed insignificant differences for DPP and SBP. However, PSS showed significant differences (F = 67.12, P = .0001) among the intervention groups except for the PMR and SBE-PMR groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combined interventions of SBEs and progressive muscle relaxation techniques can effectively reduce the heart rate, respiratory rate, BP, and anxiety in essential hypertensive patients compared to both techniques when given alone.

A comparative study on the effects of Mitchell and Benson relaxation techniques on quality of life of the old people in nursing homes: a quasi- experimental study.

BACKGROUND: There is slight evidence on the effectiveness of relaxation techniques to improve quality of life of the old people, and no comparative studies have particularly investigated this population. Hence, the present study was conducted to examine the effect of Mitchell relaxation versus Benson relaxation technique to improve quality of life of the old people. METHODS: In the present quasi-experimental study, 96 eligible old people in a nursing home were selected by available sampling method. Afterwards, they were assigned to three groups: Mitchell's Relaxation Technique, Benson Relaxation Technique, and control (each of 32 participants) using the random block sampling method. The intervention groups received relaxation for 8 weeks and 3 sessions of 20 min each week. However, the control group did not receive any relaxation. Data was gathered by questionnaires (SF-36) and (CASP-19) before (week 0) and after the intervention (week 8) and were analyzed using the SPSS software version 26. RESULTS: The results indicated that both Benson and Mitchell relaxation had improved the quality of life (SF-36) and (CASP-19) and their sub-scales in the participants compare to the control group (P < 0.001). Accordingly, the median (quartile 25, 75) of the specific quality of life of the participants before the intervention was 21 (18.25, 25.75) in the Benson group, 20.5 (16, 24) in the Michel group, and 21 (16.25, 24) in the control group. However, after the intervention they reached 35(26.25, 38.75), 34.5(26.75, 42.25), and 17 (14, 21) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the Benson and Michel relaxation groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, Benson and Mitchell relaxation techniques improve the quality of life of the old people. If the results be confirmed in other studies, the education of each of them, especially for the old people living in nursing homes and their caregivers, is suggested as routine care.

Effect of Benson's relaxation technique versus music intervention on physiological parameters and stress of children with thalassemia during blood transfusions: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Children with thalassemia are generally dependent on blood transfusions and face a lot of stress and alteration in their physiological parameters through the procedure. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Benson's relaxation technique versus music intervention on physiological parameters and stress of children with thalassemia during blood transfusions. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial with three parallel groups. METHODS: One hundred and twenty preschool-age children with thalassemia who underwent blood transfusions were randomly assigned to three groups. Children of the control group received only routine hospital care through blood transfusions. Music intervention group children listened to recorded Mozart's music and children of Benson's relaxation group received relaxation intervention before and during the blood transfusions. Outcome measures were physiological parameters and behavioral distress levels. SETTING: Hematology outpatient clinic of the Children's University Hospital at El-Shatby in Alexandria from October 2022 to February 2023. RESULTS: The mean total score of children's behavioral responses to stress before the blood transfusions procedure was 19.32 ± 4.08, 14.20 ± 0.93, and 16.92 ± 4.74 in the control, music, and Benson groups, respectively. Beyond that, there was a decline in their physiological parameters and behavioral stress response during and after procedure among groups of study (P = 0.005 & <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Music and Benson's relaxation interventions had a helpful effect on stabilizing the physiological parameters and reducing behavioral distress levels in children with thalassemia undergoing blood transfusions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study directs paediatric nurses to apply Benson's relaxation and music interventions for children with thalassemia to enhance their responses.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Management of Episodic Migraine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an overview of the application of CBT in the management of episodic migraine while also providing context and insight into the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of therapeutic change. It discusses the theoretical foundations of CBT and highlights key components including education, cognitive restructuring, behavioral interventions, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle changes. RECENT FINDINGS: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically based treatment that is well suited for the management of episodic migraine. Although first-line treatments of migraine are typically pharmacological, a review of empirical literature suggests growing evidence for the use of CBT as a standard non-pharmacological treatment of headache conditions. In summary, this article explores evidence supporting the efficacy of CBT in reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks as well as improving the quality of life and psychological well-being of those with episodic migraine.