Benson relaxation for pain-related discomfort in older adults with hypertension: A two-patient case study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56922/msc.v6i4.3964
Benson Relaxation Hypertension Older Adults Pain Nursing Care
Abstract
Background: Older adults with hypertension may experience pain-related discomfort, headache, dizziness, and sleep disturbance arising from multiple causes. Benson relaxation is a non-pharmacological technique intended to promote a relaxation response and may be used as an adjunct to routine nursing care.
Purpose: To describe nursing care using Benson relaxation for pain-related discomfort in older adults with hypertension.
Method: This study used a descriptive case-study design and involved two older adults with hypertension who received nursing care in the Dahlia 2 Ward of Dr. Loekmono Hadi Regional General Hospital, Kudus, Indonesia, between March 9 and 11, 2026. Data were obtained from nursing assessments, a pain assessment form, the hospital Benson-relaxation standard operating procedure, implementation records, and evaluation notes.
Results: Both patients presented with headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance, and pain-related discomfort. For Patient 1, for whom complete pre- and post-care numerical data were available, pain intensity decreased from 5 to 2, blood pressure from 171/93 to 155/89 mmHg, and respiratory rate from 22 to 20 breaths/min, while oxygen saturation increased from 96% to 98% over the nursing-care period. Equivalent complete numerical pre- and post-intervention outcomes were not reported for Patient 2.
Conclusion: Benson relaxation was documented as part of nursing care and was accompanied by reduced pain and improved comfort in the patient for whom complete outcome data were available. Because this was a two-patient descriptive case study without a control condition and with incomplete outcome documentation for the second patient, the observations cannot establish treatment effectiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Siti Masrukah, Indah Pujiati, Suliati Suliati, Yuli Ari Setyowati, Sonhaji Sonhaji
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