EFFECTIVENESS OF BENSON’S RELAXATION THERAPY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ANTENATAL MOTHERS WITH PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION (PIH): AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

PIH is one of the major causes of maternal mortality and can lead to a number of complications when not treated. Relaxation techniques are simple and cost effective methods which help in reducing blood pressure. To assess the effectiveness of Benson’s relaxation therapy on blood pressure among antenatal mothers with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) in experimental group. This study based on Quantitative research approach using Quasi Experimental 2 group pre-test and post-test design. Samples were selecting by using Purposive Sampling technique. The sample size was 40 comprising 20 participants in experimental group and 20 participants in control group. Video & audio were prepared and given to provide information regarding the steps to be followed in Benson’s relaxation therapy. The intervention was given for 20 times thrice a day for 7 days. After the each intervention the investigator assessed blood pressure after 30 minutes each day by using sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. The analysis revealed that the mean difference in pre-test systolic blood pressure was 1.1 and 2.5 in pre-test diastolic blood pressure with the calculated unpaired ‘t’value of 0.591 and 1.463 respectively. The ndings revealed that there was no statistically signicant difference in the pre-test level of systolic and diastolic BP in between Experimental Group and Control Group. The analysis revealed that the mean difference in post-test systolic blood pressure was 10.00 and 7.8 in post-test diastolic blood pressure with the calculated unpaired ‘t’value of 8.136 and 6.391 respectively , which is suggestive of effectiveness of Benson’s relaxation therapy on blood pressure between Experimental Group and Control Group. Hence, the ndings revealed that there was a signicant difference in the pre-test and post-test level of blood pressure among mothers with PIH between Experimental Group and Control Group.