Effect of Benson's relaxation technique on caregiver burden in caregivers of hemodialysis patients. A Randomized Controlled Trial

METHODS. This is a randomized controlled trial study on 52 caregivers of hemodialysis patients referred an universitary hospital at Jahrom. The caregivers were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, Benson's relaxation was performed twice a day for 15 minutes each time, and continued for one month. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaire and standard Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire which was completed by all participants before the intervention and one month after it. RESULTS. After the intervention, the mean caregiver burden of hemodialysis patients in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.001). The results of paired t-test showed that in the intervention group, the mean scores of caregiver burden after the intervention (14.46± 10.91) was significantly lower than before the intervention (38.33±16.94) (p=0.001). CONCLUSION. Benson's relaxation method can reduce caregiver burden in caregivers of hemodialysis patients.