The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Fatigue among Chronic Disease Patients: A Systematic Literature Review

Deranito Langlang Paresa Albianto; Demita  Nurpadilah; Deni Firmansyah

doi:10.56359/gj.v7i1.850

Authors

Deranito Langlang Paresa Albianto STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis
Demita Nurpadilah STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis
Deni Firmansyah STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56359/gj.v7i1.850

Keywords:

benson relaxation, chronic disease, fatigue

Abstract

Introduction: Fatigue often afflicts patients with chronic illnesses, adversely affecting their quality of life and limiting their ability to execute daily activities. The Benson relaxation technique, a non-pharmacological method, seeks to reduce weariness by stimulating the body's inherent relaxation response. Evidence suggests that this therapy is a viable, safe, and effective method for mitigating fatigue in those with chronic illnesses

Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Benson relaxation technique in mitigating fatigue among individuals with chronic illnesses.

Method: A systematic review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, ProQuest, JSTOR, and Garuda) to identify studies published between 2020 and 2024 examining the application of the Benson relaxation technique among adults aged 18 to 65 with chronic illnesses. Fatigue reduction served as the primary outcome, assessed using validated instruments such as the FSS, MFIS, RPFS, FACIT Fatigue, and CFS. Three independent reviewers performed the search, screening, and quality appraisal following PRISMA guidelines and the CASP Checklist.

Result: An analysis of 14 clinical trials with 813 participants demonstrated that the Benson relaxation technique significantly alleviates fatigue in persons suffering from chronic conditions, including coronary heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and renal failure. The intervention boosts sleep quality, reduces anxiety, and improves general well-being. Enhanced efficacy was noted with extended durations (1–12 weeks) and when conducted bi-daily for 10–60 minutes, particularly when integrated with aromatherapy, music therapy, or deep breathing techniques.

Conclusion: The Benson relaxation technique has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating fatigue in persons with chronic illnesses. Consequently, nurses can include this method into non-pharmacological tiredness management strategies to enhance patients' overall quality of life.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aditya Nugraha, B., Ghraha Ramdhanie, G., & Keperawatan, F. (2018a). Prosiding Seminar Nasional dan Diseminasi Penelitian Kesehatan STIKes Bakti Tunas Husada Tasikmalaya.

Alzaghmouri, A. H., Masa’Deh, R., Al Jaberi, M., Masadeh, O. M., Al Smadi, A. M., & Alshawabkeh, G. A. (2021). The effect of Benson relaxation technique on fatigue of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Health Sciences, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2021.1229

Ariyanto, H., & Rosa, E. M. (2024). Effectiveness of telenursing in improving quality of life in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences (Vol. 19, Issue 3, pp. 664–676). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2024.04.009

Astaria, W., Oktarina, Y., Studi Keperawatan, P., Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan, F., & Jambi, U. (2024). Pengaruh Terapi Kombinasi Relaksasi Benson Dan Aromaterapi Terhadap Tingkat Fatigue Pada Pasien Penyakit Jantung Koroner (Pjk) Di Ruang Rawat Inap Jantung Rsud Raden Mattaher Jambi. Jurnal Ners, 8. http://journal.universitaspahlawan.ac.id/index.php/ners

Cahyati, Y., Rosdiana, I., & Setiawan, H. (2022). The effect of swallowing exercises in combination with Benson relaxation on swallowing ability in stroke patients. Kontakt, 24(2), 163–169. https://doi.org/10.32725/kont.2022.012

Cahyono, H. D., Irawaty, D., & Adam, M. (2022). The effect of Benson relaxation application (‘Bens app’) on reducing fatigue in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A quasi-experimental study. Belitung Nursing Journal, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.1843

Dewi, R., Irawati, D., Anggaraini, D., Jumaiyah, W., & Suryanti, A. D. (2024). Penerapan Efektivitas Relaksasi Benson Terhadap Kualitas Tidur Pada Pasien Chronic Kidney Disease (Ckd) Yang Menjalani Hemodialisis Di Rsud Tarakan Jakarta Pusat. Jurnal Ilmiah Keperawatan IMELDA, 10(1). http://jurnal.uimedan.ac.id/index.php/JURNALKEPERAWATAN

Efendi, S., Agus, A. I., Syatriani, S., Amir, H., Alam, R. I., Nurdin, S., Batara, A. S., & Ikhtiar, M. (2022). The Effect of Benson Relaxation on Quality of Sleep of Cancer Patients. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 10(G). https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8295

Eka Pujiastutik, Y., Wahyuni, S., Apriyanto, B. S., Yauri, I., Colis, P., Ilmu, I., Bhakti, K., & Kediri, W. (2024). Pengaruh Terapi Relaksasi Benson Terhadap Kecemasan Pada Ibu Hamil Trimester III Di RS Aura Syifa Kabupaten Kediri. J. Sintesis Submitted: 27 Mei, 5(1), 2024.

Eroglu, H., & Gok Metin, Z. (2022). Benson Relaxation Technique Combined With Music Therapy for Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Holistic Nursing Practice, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000509

fatmawati, y. (2021). A Combined Therapy Between Benson’s and Warm-Water-Foot Techniques: The Effect Towards Fatique on Chronic-Kidney-Failure Patients in the Hemodialysis Room.

Febriyanti, F., Yusri, V., & Fridalni, N. (2021). Pengaruh Terapi Relaksasi Benson Terhadap Tekanan Darah Sistole Pada Lansia Dengan Hipertensi. Menara Ilmu, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.31869/mi.v15i1.2508

Franceschini, C., Musetti, A., Zenesini, C., Palagini, L., Scarpelli, S., Quattropani, M. C., Lenzo, V., Freda, M. F., Lemmo, D., Vegni, E., Borghi, L., Saita, E., Cattivelli, R., De Gennaro, L., Plazzi, G., Riemann, D., & Castelnuovo, G. (2020). Poor sleep quality and its consequences on mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.574475

Goërtz, Y. M. J., Braamse, A. M. J., Spruit, M. A., Janssen, D. J. A., Ebadi, Z., Van Herck, M., Burtin, C., Peters, J. B., Sprangers, M. A. G., Lamers, F., Twisk, J. W. R., Thong, M. S. Y., Vercoulen, J. H., Geerlings, S. E., Vaes, A. W., Beijers, R. J. H. C. G., van Beers, M., Schols, A. M. W. J., Rosmalen, J. G. M., & Knoop, H. (2021). Fatigue in patients with chronic disease: results from the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00337-z

Hamdi Kamal Khalil, N., Mohmmed Abouelala, F., Hemed Hamad, A., & Mohamed Elesawy, F. (2021). Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Sleep Quality and Fatigue for Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2021.226267

Heif, D. M., Masa’Deh, R., Aburuz, M. E., Hamaideh, S. H., Rayan, A., & Al-Yateem, N. (2024). The Effect of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Fatigue and Quality of Life of Patients Diagnosed with Heart Failure. Holistic Nursing Practice, 38(2). https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000632

Huddar, V., Vernekar, S., Tatpati, N., Thali, S., & D’Silva, P. V. (2023). Comparative effect of progressive relaxation technique and Benson’s technique on anxiety and fatigue in cancer survivors - an experimental study. Current Problems in Cancer, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2022.100933

Hulme, K., Safari, R., Thomas, S., Mercer, T., White, C., Linden, M. Vander, & Moss-Morris, R. (2018). Fatigue interventions in long term, physical health conditions: A scoping review of systematic reviews. In PLoS ONE (Vol. 13, Issue 10). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203367

Kernder, A., Düsing, C., Richter, J., Brinks, R., Fischer-Betz, R., Winkler-Rohlfing, B., Aringer, M., Schneider, M., & Chehab, G. (2021). Factors detrimental to work productivity and daily activities in systemic lupus erythematosus patients – Analysis of the German LuLa study. Lupus, 30(12). https://doi.org/10.1177/09612033211045063

Kesik, G., Ozdemir, L., & Mungan Ozturk, S. (2022). The Effects of Relaxation Techniques on Pain, Fatigue, and Kinesiophobia in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A 3-Arm Randomized Trial. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 54(2). https://doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000620

Krismiadi, D., Wihastuti, T. A., & Ismail, D. D. S. L. (2023). Differences Between the Effects of The Benson Relaxation Technique and Deep Breath on Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients. Jurnal Aisyah : Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v8i2.1654

Luyan, G., Lizhi, Z., Shufang, Z., Yang, W., Jiwei, H., Aijun, D., Yuchen, H., Zirui, Z., Xiaoqian, Y., Hong, L., Yijing, F., & Huiqian, X. (2025). Effects of dynamic and static relaxation therapy on cancer-induced fatigue and sleep disorders in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized control trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-09123-9

Mirhosseini, S., Rezaei, M., & Ajorpaz, N. M. (2021). The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on General Health in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients in Kashan, Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.52547/jgbfnm.18.1.17

Muliantino, M. R., Tuti Herawati, & Masfuri. (2020). Benson’s Relaxation for Fatigue Patient with Coronary Artery Disease. Caring: Indonesian Journal of Nursing Science, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.32734/ijns.v2i1.4170

Osman Ali, S. A., Kamel, N., Holmes, S. L., & Abdelfatah Arafat, A. E. (2022). Effect of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Psychological Distress and Sleep Quality among Elderly. Health Education and Health Promotion, 10(1).

Pangastuti, T. E., Sudrajat, S., Febriana, F., & Mangngi, Y. K. M. (2021). Relaksasi Benson Dengan Masalah Kelelahan Pada Pasien Gagal Jantung di Rumah Sakit Islam Jakarta Cempaka Putih Jakarta Pusat Tahun 2020. Jurnal Bidang Ilmu Kesehatan, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.52643/jbik.v11i2.1836

Radiansah, S. B., Rochmawati, E., Zuhri, A., Hemodialisa, P., & Temanggung, R. (2024). Pemberian Terapi Relaksasi Benson untuk Menurunkan Tingkat Kelelahan Pasien Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) yang Menjalani Hemodialisa. Jurnal Siti Rufaidah, 2(2).

Rosmiati, Setiawan, H., & Resa, N. Y. (2018). Description Of Quality Of Patient Fails Of Chronic Kidney Which Health Therapy Hemodialisa In General Hospital District Ciamis Year 2018. Jurnal Kesehatan, 5(2).

Sasmita Ismail, S., V Watung, G. I., Sibua, S., & Astuti, W. (2024). Hubungan Kualitas Tidur Dengan Kelelahan Fisik Pada Lansia Di Wilayah Kerja Uptd Puskesmas Motoboi Kecil. In Journal| Watson Journal of Nursing (Vol. 2, Issue 2).

Sihombing, Y. A., & Paulina, M. M. (2022). Upaya Mengatasi Gangguan Pola Tidur pada Pasien Hipertensi Melalui Terapi Relaksasi Benson. Care Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.35584/carejournal.v2i1.129

Sutrisno, S., & Nursalam. (2022). The Effect of Benson and Autogenic Relaxation Therapy on Sleep Quality, Blood Pressure and Anxiety of Hypertension Patients. Journal Of Nursing Practice, 6(2), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.30994/jnp.v6i2.379

Tri Atmojo, J., Mahaguna Putra, M., Made Dewi Yunica Astriani, N., Indah Sintya Dewi, P., Bintoro, T., Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Mamba, S., Ulum Surakarta, ul, Tengah, J., Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Buleleng, S., Nursing Training Center Bali, I., Keperawatan dr Soedono Madiun, A., & Timur, J. (n.d.). Efektifitas Terapi Relaksasi Benson Terhadap Tekanan Darah Pada Penderita Hipertensi.