The effect of Benson relaxation method on anxiety in the emergency care

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical and sociodemographic properties of the patients as measured by the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS” including the subscale regarding anxiety (HAD-A) in emergency department (ED) and to detect the effect of a session of Benson relaxation method (BRM) on high anxiety level. METHODS: Adult patients presented to the state hospital ED in seven days were recruited in this prospective study. Patients with high (≥8) scores were randomized to the treatment or control groups. They were asked to pursue BRM to alleviate anxiety. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-four patients were recruited (mean age 44.1 and 52% were female). Patients with acute exacerbation or with psychiatric illness, with a systemic disease and higher acuity level had higher HAD-A scores (P < .05). BRM group had a mean score change higher than controls (7.2 ± 2.9 vs 3.4 ± 2.6, t test, P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent BRM had larger decreases in HAD-A scores than others.