Benson relaxation is effective in reducing anxiety and menstrual pain intensity in high school students in Semarang city

Limited knowledge among adolescents in managing dysmenorrhea often leads to anxiety, which may negatively affect their quality of life.Nonpharmacological interventions are needed to address both psychological and physical symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea.This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Benson relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety levels and the intensity of dysmenorrhea among adolescents.A quasiexperimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted.The inclusion criteria were adolescents aged 15-18 years who experienced anxiety and menstrual pain.Anxiety levels were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42), while dysmenorrhea intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).The implementation of Benson relaxation therapy followed the standard operating procedure proposed by Iwan (2020).The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels after the intervention, with the mean score decreasing from 14.38 to 6.68 (p = 0.001).Similarly, the mean pain intensity decreased from 4.28 to 1.85, with the Wilcoxon test also indicating a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention (p = 0.001).Benson relaxation therapy stimulates parasympathetic nervous system activity, promoting a state of relaxation that enhances comfort and helps individuals manage psychological and physical symptoms, including anxiety, fatigue, and pain.These findings suggest that Benson relaxation therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing anxiety and dysmenorrhea intensity among adolescents.