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The effect of Benson relaxation technique on cancer patients: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

Although many studies have investigated the effect of this method on cancer patients, no review of the available literature has been done. So, a literature review is conducted to evaluate all published literature on the Benson relaxation technique in cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted. A systematic search of online electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus Web of Science, PsycINFO, and EMBASE was performed using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings such as “Benson Relaxation Technique,” “Cancer Patients,” “Malignancy,” and “Neoplasia” from the beginning to April 27, 2023. A total of 810 publications were assessed for relevance by title and abstract. The remaining 31 articles were examined using inclusion criteria for all Persian and English-language publications that evaluate the effectiveness of the Benson relaxation technique on cancer patients. We did not have gray literature in our review. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using specific checklists.

Results

Finally, nine studies were included in this systematic review. Studies on breast cancer patients showed improvement in fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, shortness of breath, insomnia, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, treatment side effects, breast symptoms, arm symptoms, worry about hair loss, and scores of hope. Two studies were conducted among cervical cancer patients that showed a decrease in anxiety scores and an improvement in the quality of sleep. Another study on gastric cancer patients showed decreased Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching scores.

Conclusion

Overall, this systematic review showed that the Benson relaxation method could improve sleep quality, appetite, anxiety, and quality of life. Therefore, using the Benson relaxation technique is suggested to improve health-related outcomes in cancer patients.

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Notes

  1. Progressive relaxation technique.

  2. Oxygen therapy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude and appreciation to all persons who contributed in conducting this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Amir Mohamad Nazari, Akbar Zare-Kaseb & Mohammad Javad Ghazanfari

  2. Master of Sciences in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

    Zahra Arbabi

  3. Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery Amol, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

    Mohammad Hashem Gholampour

  4. Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nasibeh School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

    Amir Emami Zeydi

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  1. Amir Mohamad Nazari
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A.M.N, A.Z.K, Z.A, M.J.G, M.H.G, and A.E.Z wrote the main manuscript text and A.M.N prepared Fig. 1 and Tables 1 and 2. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mohammad Javad Ghazanfari.

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Nazari, A.M., Zare-Kaseb, A., Arbabi, Z. et al. The effect of Benson relaxation technique on cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 31, 681 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08142-2

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