Benson Relaxation Therapy: Impact on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Older Adults – A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: The high incidence of hypertension can have an impact on increasing death rates in the world because it can cause heart failure and coronary heart disease and increase the risk of stroke. A strong emphasis on managing essential HTN with non-pharmacological interventions involving multiple elements of lifestyle modification, focusing on more permanent measures to help improve the overall quality of life and decrease physician dependence and hospitalizations of severe complications. This study aimed to explore the effect of Benson relaxation therapy on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension. Method: The method used in this literature review was to examine the results of previous research in published articles. Article searches were carried out via PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar using the keywords "Benson Relaxation," "Blood Pressure," AND "Hypertensive Older adults," as well as combinations of these keywords such as "Benson relaxation on older adults hypertensive blood pressure." Fifteen articles were extracted based on the inclusion that Benson relaxation and other relaxation treatments significantly reduced blood pressure values in hypertension sufferers. Results: There were 15 articles focused on Benson therapy. Eleven studies were of pre-experimental study design. The remaining studies were case study groups (two) and one randomized control study. All of the articles combine deep breathing relaxation and religious relaxation. Conclusion: Benson relaxation has a significant effect on reducing blood pressure values in hypertension sufferers.

Keywords

• benson relaxation
• blood pressure
• hypertension
• older adults