The Effect of the Benson Relaxation Technique Virtual Training on Illness Anxiety Disorder among the Informal Caregivers of COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The informal caregivers of the patients with COVID-19, who are in direct contact with patients and Coronavirus, experience many psychological issues and are prone to illness anxiety disorder. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of virtual training of Benson relaxation technique on illness anxiety disorder in the informal caregivers of the patients with COVID-19. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 54 informal caregivers of the patients with COVID-19 who scored X≥20 on Salkovskis online HAI. They were randomly divided into control (n=28) and intervention (n=26) groups. The intervention group received BRT audio file and pamphlet through messengers, and applied this technique twice a day, each time for 20 minutes, for three weeks, but the control group did not receive any training. Then, after three weeks, HAI was completed by both groups again. Data analysis was done using SPSS software v22. Results: The mean score of IAD in the informal caregivers of the patients before the intervention in the intervention and the control groups was 24.88±5.89 and 23.27±5.64, respectively. After the intervention, the mean score of the IAD in the informal caregivers of the patients in the intervention and the control groups changed to 17.30±7.15 and 19.78±7.14, respectively. The result of t-test showed a significant difference between the changes in the IAD scores of the two groups after the implementation of the intervention (p=0.046). Conclusion: The findings show that Benson relaxation technique virtual training, as a comprehensive, simple, and inexpensive method, reduces illness anxiety disorder in the informal caregivers of the patients with COVID-19. Healthcare systems can take steps to support these people by providing virtual training of BRT to informal caregivers of patients with covid-19 who are exposed to IAD.