Positive Health Online

Abstract

CHEN and COLLEAGUES,1. Nurse, Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC; 2. Professor, Department of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC set up a pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness on reducing anxiety of a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation (DBR) training program.

Background

To evaluate the effectiveness on reducing anxiety of a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation (DBR) training program.

Methodology

This experimental, pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial with repeated measures collected data using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and biofeedback tests for skin conductivity, peripheral blood flow, heart rate, and breathing rate.

Results

The experimental group achieved significant reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (p < .05), peripheral temperature (p = .026), heart rate (p = .005), and breathing rate (p = .004) over the 8-week training period. The experimental group further achieved a significant reduction in breathing rate (p < .001).

Conclusion

The findings provide guidance for providing quality care that effectively reduces the anxiety level of care recipients in clinical and community settings.

References

Chen YF1, Huang XY2, Chien CH3, Cheng JF4. The Effectiveness of Diaphragmatic Breathing Relaxation Training for Reducing Anxiety. Perspect Psychiatr Care 53(4):329-336. Oct 2017. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12184. Epub 2016 Aug 23

Comment

This study demonstrates the efficacy of  Diaphragmatic Breathing Relaxation upon anxiety in clinical and community settings.