Effect of Benson Relaxation Exercises on Anxiety and Fatigue Level Among Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women all over the world and cause cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The treatment of breast cancer is surgery and additional therapies, as hormonal treatment, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, administered either preoperatively or postoperatively to inhibit cancer proliferation and dissemination, thereby preserving lives. Aim of the study: evaluate the effect of Benson relaxation exercises on anxiety and fatigue level among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Research design: Quasi experimental research design was conducted in this study. Setting: This study carried out at Fayoum Cancer Center (inpatient, outpatient chemotherapy clincal). Subjects: A purposive sample of 60 adult female patients who receiving chemotherapy. Tools of data collection: I: Structured Interview Assessment questionnaire. II: Spielberger State—Trait Anxiety. III: Brief Fatigue Inventory scale/BFI. IV: Observational Checklist for Benson Relaxation Exercises. Results: There was a statistically significant effect of the intervention on reducing fatigue severity compared with the control group. There was a statistically significant effect of Benson relaxation exercises was effective in lower mean of state, trait and total anxiety scores post intervention among study group with p-value 0.001 than control group. Conclusion: Benson relaxation exercises are an effective and simple non-pharmacological method to reduce anxiety and fatigue levels among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Recommendation: The study suggested the implementation of Benson relaxation exercises for every woman with breast cancer who is receiving chemotherapy. This approach is an effective and economical complementary therapy for reducing anxiety and fatigue levels.