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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the authorities and nurses of Ali Asghar Hospital in Zahedan as well as all the patients and their families who cooperated in conducting this study.

Funding

No funding was received for this study.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Mahnaz Ghaljeh

    Present address: Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instructor of Medical Surgical Nursing, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Chabahar, Iran

    Fatemeh Kord Salarzehi

  2. Instructor of Medical Surgical Nursing, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

    Sajad Salehipour

Authors
  1. Mahnaz Ghaljeh
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  2. Fatemeh Kord Salarzehi
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  3. Sajad Salehipour
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Contributions

MG designed the study, interpreted the data, drafted the paper and analysed the data, pro- vided critical revision of the paper and approved the final version. SS designed the study, acquired of laboratory data and drafted the paper. FK helped in acquiring the clinical data, interpretation of data and revising the manuscript critically. All authors have approved the final submitted version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sajad Salehipour.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicting interests.

Ethical Standard

Permission to conduct this trial was issued by the Ethics Committee of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences [IR.ZAUMS.REC.1400.357 (https://b2n.ir/b66029)]. The research protocol was also registered in the Iranian Clinical Trials Registration Organization on 2022/01/16 [IRCT20200926048842N2].

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects and patients prior to participation in the trial. All data were kept confidential and unique study identifiers were used to assure anonymity. Collected data were kept in a locked file to which only the primary investigator had access. After completion of the study, all educational materials from the programme were also supplied to individuals in the control group.

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Ghaljeh, M., Salarzehi, F.K. & Salehipour, S. The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients with Thalassemia Major: A Clinical Trial. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 39, 557–564 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-023-01633-6

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