The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Therapy on Pre-Cesarean Section Fear and Anxiety among Nulliparous Women

Abd ElAziz ElShora, Samah Nasser; Elsayed, Hanan Elsayed Mohamed; El-Feshawy, Nagwa Ibrahim; Abd Elaziz Hassen, Hend Abd Elmegiued

doi:10.21608/asnj.2024.259888.1746

The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Therapy on Pre-Cesarean Section Fear and Anxiety among Nulliparous Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Mansoura University, Egypt

² Professor of Woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Mansoura University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Mansoura University, Egypt.

⁴ Lecturer of Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

10.21608/asnj.2024.259888.1746

Abstract

Background: Fear and anxiety are considered the most common symptoms experienced by nulliparous women before a cesarean operation. Benson’s therapy is one of the non-pharmacological strategies that has been associated with positive effects on various physical and psychological conditions and promoting relaxation before cesarean operation. Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Benson's relaxation therapy on pre-cesarean section fear and anxiety among nulliparous women. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was employed. Setting: The study was carried out at Mansoura New General Hospital, Mansoura City, Egypt. Sampling: A purposive sample of one hundred and sixty nulliparous women. Tools: Data was gathered through three tools: A personal data questionnaire, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire. Results: There was a highly statistically significant reduction in the total mean fear score from 44.4±8.7 pre-intervention to 35.4±13.4 post-implementation of Benson's relaxation therapy. Also, there was a highly statistically significant reduction in the total mean anxiety scores from 54.7±11.1 pre-intervention to 37.9±12.4 post-intervention. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between anxiety scores and fear of CS scores after implementing Benson's relaxation therapy. Conclusion: Benson's relaxation therapy is a simple, feasible, and valuable therapeutic approach that doesn't necessitate specialized equipment. It can be easily implemented after a brief instruction. Also, it has a significant beneficial effect on alleviating fear and anxiety among nulliparous women who go through cesarean sections. Recommendation: Applying Benson's relaxation therapy to alleviate fear and anxiety prior to a cesarean section.

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