Comparison of Jacobson’s and Benson’s Relaxation Techniques on Pre-angiography Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Many patients experience anxiety before undergoing coronary artery angiography (CAA). Anxiety before angiography is dangerous and can exacerbate symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD), so reducing anxiety before CAA is important. Although the relaxation methods of Jacobson and Benson are both considered effective in improving psychological problems, few studies have compared the effects of these two methods on anxiety in cardiac patients. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two relaxation methods, Jacobson and Benson, in reducing anxiety levels in patients prior to CAA. Methods: The study was a triple-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 96 patients who were candidates for CAA and were referred to the Angiography Department of Kowsar Hospital in Semnan. Convenient sampling was used as the sampling method. Assignment of individuals to the intervention groups (Jacobson method, Benson method, and routine care) was done randomly. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS26 software. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used. Results: Results regarding state anxiety showed that the difference between the mean of state anxiety before and after the intervention was significant in the Jacobson relaxation group (P < 0.001) and Benson relaxation group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the routine care group. The mean situational anxiety score after intervention was significant (by removing the size effect before intervention) in all three groups: Jacobson relaxation, Benson relaxation, and routine care [F(2,92) = 55.5, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.547]. In the pairwise comparison of groups, a significant difference was observed between the Jacobson relaxation group and the routine care group (P < 0.001), as well as between the Benson relaxation group and the routine care group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the Jacobson and Benson relaxation groups (P > 0.999). The reduction in situational anxiety after the intervention was 11.06 in the Jacobson relaxation group, 9.69 in the Benson relaxation group, and 0.13 in the routine care group. Conclusions: Both Jacobson and Benson progressive muscle relaxation methods are effective in reducing state anxiety in patients before CAA. However, there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of these two methods. Therefore, when deciding between Jacobson and Benson relaxation methods in a clinical setting, it is recommended to consider the specific clinical conditions and patient status to determine the most appropriate approach.