The Relaxation Response: Influence on Psychological and Physiological Responses in Patients with COPD
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-25-2020
Publication Title
Applied Nursing Research
Volume
54
First page number:
1
Last page number:
6
Abstract
In patients with COPD, distress is significantly prevalent and can have adverse psychological and physiological effects. The Relaxation Response Meditation Technique (RRMT), a technique that elicits the relaxation response, was developed by Dr. Herbert Benson to counter the fight-or-flight response to decrease psychological and physiological effects. Aim: (1) To assess whether implementing the RRMT decreases anxiety in patients with COPD, (2) to determine whether RRMT reduces the patients' perception of breathlessness, and (3) to investigate whether RRMT improves the physiological responses of patients with COPD. Design: This quasi-experimental study used a pre- and post-test design. The sample (N = 25) consisted of a single group of patients diagnosed in stages 2–4 of COPD at an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitative clinic. Methods: Inferential statistics were used to determine the psychological and physiological differences pre- and post-intervention utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Modified Borg Scale, and BP, HR, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels. Results: Results indicated a significant mean change in anxiety (p ≤ 0.001), perception of dyspnea (p ≤ 0.001), and a decrease in respiratory rate (p = .001) after implementing the RRMT. There was clinical improvement in systolic and diastolic BPs and HR. Conclusion: Findings from this study support the inclusion of the RRMT as part of the pulmonary rehabilitative program to assist patients with COPD in adapting to the negative psychological and physiological responses of distress.
Keywords
Anxiety; COPD; Dyspnea; Meditation; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Relaxation Response Meditation Technique
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing | Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Language
English
Repository Citation
Reaves, C.,
Dalusung-Angosta, A.
(2020).
The Relaxation Response: Influence on Psychological and Physiological Responses in Patients with COPD.
Applied Nursing Research, 54
1-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151351