The effect of Benson relaxation technique on sleep quality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Introduction: One of the common problems of patients after open heart surgery is sleep disturbance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of benson relaxation on sleep quality after coronary artery bypass graft. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients allocated to the benson relaxation and control groups. For the intervention group, Benson's relaxation technique was don twice a day for a period of four weeks. The control group received routine care only. In both groups, sleep quality was measured before and after study using Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Befor intervention, there were no significant differences between two groups of Benson relaxation and control group in any variables of sleep quality and total sleep quality (P>0.05). After intervention, in the Benson relaxation group, the patients' sleep quality was significantly better than the control group in terms of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficacy, sleep disturbances and total quality (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between Benson relaxation and control group in the variables of sleep duration, taking sleep druges and daily dysfunction (P>0.05). Conclusion: Using Benson's relaxation technique as supplementary and alternative therapies to improve the sleep quality of patients after open heart surgery is recommended.