The Effect of Relaxation Technique on Fatigue Levels after Stem Cell

Hedayat Jafari, Yadollah Janati, Jamshid Yazdani, Nasrin Bali, Somayeh Hassanpour

Abstract


Background: Many patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) experience fatigue due to their disease process and its long period of treatment. Using nonpharmacological methods to help reduce their fatigue is a reasonable endeavor. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Benson’s relaxation technique on fatigue levels in patients after HSCT.

Materials and Methods: Thirty‑seven patients were randomly selected to the intervention (n = 19) and control group (n = 18). In the intervention group, the participants performed Benson’s relaxation exercises for 20 min twice per day over a period of 15 days. The data collection tools used included a demographic and medical information form and the Brief Fatigue Inventory, completed by both groups on three different occasions (upon admission and days 8 and 14 after the HSCT). The data obtained were analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version‑20 using statistical tests.

Results: The results of the independent t‑test showed no significant preintervention differences in fatigue levels between the two groups. On days 8 (t = 11.21, p < 0.001) and 14 after the transplant (t = 15.62, p < 0.001), a significant difference was observed in the mean level of fatigue between the two groups.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that Benson’s relaxation technique would improve fatigue in HSCT patients.


Keywords


Fatigue, Iran, relaxation, stem cell transplantation

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References


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