THE EFFECT OF BENSON RELAXATION METHOD ON ANXIETY IN THE EMERGENCY CARE

Background and Aim : To analyze clinical and sociodemographic properties of the patients asmeasured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS including the subscale regardinganxiety (HAD-A) in emergency department (ED) and to detect the effect of a session of Bensonrelaxation method (BRM) on high anxiety level.Methods : Adult patients presented to the state hospital ED in seven days were recruited in thisprospective study. Patients with high (≥8) scores were randomized to the treatment or controlgroups. They were asked to pursue BRM to alleviate anxiety.Results : Two hundred patients were recruited (mean age 45 and 56% were female). Patients withacute exacerbation or with psychiatric illness, with a systemic disease and higher acuity level hadhigher HAD-A scores (P < .05). BRM group had a mean score change higher than controls (7.7 ± 2.4vs 3.8 ± 2.2, t test, P = .033).Conclusion : Patients who underwent BRM had larger decreases in HAD-A scores than others.

Keywords:

Benson relaxation method , anxiety , emergency care