Effect of Benson Relaxation on Anxiety Levels Among Third-Trimester Pregnant Women
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Anggi Ismayanti
Yayah Sopiyanah
Sariestya Rismawati
Background: Anxiety commonly increases during the third trimester as concerns about childbirth, fetal condition, pain, and uncertainty intensify. Benson relaxation is a simple non-pharmacological technique that combines slow breathing, focused attention, and a calming word or phrase. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of Benson relaxation on anxiety levels among third-trimester pregnant women. Methods: A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. Forty primigravida women were selected through purposive sampling. Anxiety was assessed using a modified 20-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-2 before and after Benson relaxation. Because pretest and posttest scores were not normally distributed, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied. Results: Before the intervention, 67.5% of participants had high anxiety and 32.5% had moderate anxiety. After the intervention, 57.5% had low anxiety and 42.5% had moderate anxiety; no participant remained in the high-anxiety category. Thirty-seven participants had lower posttest scores, three had ties, and none had higher scores. The pretest-posttest difference was statistically significant (Z = -5.516; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Benson relaxation was followed by a significant reduction in anxiety among third-trimester primigravida women and may be considered as a practical non-pharmacological adjunct in antenatal care.
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