A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Benson’s Relaxation Therapy on Blood Pressure and Stress Among Mothers with Gestational Hypertension

Abstract

The quasi-experimental study, to know the effectiveness of Benson’s relaxation therapy on blood pressure and stress among mothers with gestational hypertension, was done with 20 gestational hypertension mothers, 10 in the experimental and 10 in the control group. The experimental group was instructed on Benson's relaxation technique. They were asked to perform it thrice a day for 20 minutes daily for a period of 6 days. On the seventh day, blood pressure and stress levels were measured. According to the study's findings, the pre-test systolic and diastolic blood pressure of every participant in both the experimental group and the control group ranged from 140 to 159 mm Hg and 90 to 99 mm Hg, respectively. About 50% of the experimental group's systolic blood pressure dropped below 130 mm Hg after receiving Benson relaxation therapy, while 100% of the control group's systolic blood pressure ranged from 140 to 159 mm Hg and its diastolic blood pressure ranged from 90 to 99 mm Hg. Mean post-test systolic blood pressure (MD=20, t=6.708, p0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (MD=8.2, t=4.755, p0.05) both decreased significantly. The experimental group's mean post-test systolic blood pressure score (124.0) was lower than the control group's (124.0). (145.60). The experimental group's mean post-test diastolic blood pressure score (83.0) was lower than the control group's (88.20). Prior to the test, the majority of the women—50% in the experimental group and 50% in the control group—had mild to moderate levels of stress. After Benson relaxation therapy, 60% of the experimental group had mild levels of stress, 40% were normal, and 50% in the control group had moderate levels of stress. The experimental group's mean post-test stress level significantly decreased (MD=14.3, t=5.870, p 0.05).