title: Improving adherence and biomedical markers in hemodialysis patients: the effects of relaxation therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Benson's relaxation technique in improving the hemodialysis patients' dietary and fluid adherence and biomedical markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled trial with a pre-post test design was conducted on 86 hemodialysis patients randomly divided into an intervention (receiving Benson's relaxation technique) and a control group (usual care).
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting of the study was two hemodialysis units affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients listened to the audiotape of Benson's relaxation technique twice a day each time for 20min for 8 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary and fluid adherence and some biomedical markers were measured in both the intervention and the control group at baseline and at the 8th week after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed significant differences between the two groups regarding blood urea nitrogen and phosphate as dietary adherence and interdialytic weight gain as fluid adherence in the 8th week of the intervention (P<0.05). Also, a significant difference was found between the two groups concerning blood glucose level after the intervention (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlighted the importance of Benson's relaxation technique in improvement of adherence and some biomedical markers in hemodialysis patients. Thus, Benson's relaxation therapy could be used as a part of the nursing care practice for hemodialysis patients and those suffering from chronic diseases.
authors: Student Research Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Medical Surgical, Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: pasyarn@yahoo.com.
authors: Nilofar
authors: N
authors: Pasyar
authors: Student Research Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Medical Surgical, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 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 Member of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Fsharif@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Farkhondeh
authors: F
authors: Sharif
authors: Center for Nursing Care Research, Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: foroughrafii@yahoo.com.
authors: Forough
authors: F
authors: Rafii
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Pourali@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Pourali-Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012063:Relaxation / Q000523:psychology*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Adherence; Biomedical markers; Hemodialysis; Relaxation therapy