Effect of Benson’s Relaxation Response on Physiological Responses in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Several Regional Hospitals in Semarang

Abstract

Introduction: Increased physiological responses in patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) describe an adaptation of body to stress due to illness. It may have a long term ischemic effect which can promote the risk of recurrent complications and strokes. These physiological responses include the motoric, sensory, visual domains, and the level of consciousness. Relaxation response is one of the nursing interventions which can decrease the physiologic response in patients with AIS. It is an intervention which is practiced through a stable body and mind approach to manage stress, it has proven to be useful in various populations. Method: This study aimed to analyze the effects of relaxation response on the physiologic responses with AIS. This study was an experimental study with a pre-posttest control group design. The subjects were 42 acute ischemic stroke patients, consisting of 21 patients in the control group and 21 patients in the intervention group. Results: The results showed any significant diffrences of physiological responses between intervention dan control groups. The intervention group showed better values than the control group with p=0.001. Conclusion: The study concluded that Benson’s relaxation response was effective in decreasingthe physiologic responses for example the motoric in patients with AIS. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that Benson’s relaxation response with word or prayer repeated could be used as a standard operating procedure in nursing care. Further studies could examine the effects of Benson’s relaxation response which is performed as early as possible in AIS patients by involving other interventions. Keywords: Benson’s Relaxation Response, Physiological Response, Acute Ischemic Stroke