title: Evaluation of the effect of Benson's relaxation technique on pain and quality of life of haemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemodialysis patients may suffer from pain and impairment of quality of life. Some complementary interventions, such as relaxation therapy, might affect the pain and quality of life. The present study aimed to identify the effectiveness of Benson's relaxation technique in relieving pain and improving the quality of life in haemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected in two haemodialysis units affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 86 haemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (receiving Benson's relaxation technique) or the control group (routine care) from 2011 to 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients in the intervention groups listened to the audiotape of relaxation technique twice a day each time for 20min for eight weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pain numeric rating scale and Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-dialysis version questionnaire were completed at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANCOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of ANCOVA showed a significant difference between the intervention and the control group concerning the mean score of the intensity of pain (F=6.03, p=0.01). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the intervention and the control group regarding the total quality of life (F=10.20, p=0.002) and health-functioning (F=8.64, p=0.004), socioeconomic (F=12.45, p=0.001), and family (F=8.52, p=0.005) subscales of quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicated that Benson's relaxation technique might relieve the intensity of pain and improve the quality of life in haemodialysis patients. Thus, Benson's relaxation technique could be used as part of the care practice for relieving the pain intensity and improvement of the quality of life in haemodialysis patients.
authors: Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Surgical, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: rambodm@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Masoume
authors: M
authors: Rambod
authors: Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Science and Health Services, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Fsharif@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Farkhondeh
authors: F
authors: Sharif
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Pourali@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Pourali-Mohammadi
authors: Department of Medical Surgical, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Science and Health Services, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: pasyarn@yahoo.com.
authors: Nilofar
authors: N
authors: Pasyar
authors: Center for Nursing Care Research, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: foroughrafii@yahoo.com.
authors: Forough
authors: F
authors: Rafii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Haemodialysis; Pain; Quality of life; Relaxation therapy