Relaxation training as a nursing intervention versus pro re nata medication.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Medicine
• Nursing

Background:

• Patients on minor tranquilizers and sedatives often require medication for tension relief.
• The efficacy of relaxation training in reducing PRN medication use needs further investigation.
• Comparing live versus taped relaxation instruction is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of relaxation training on PRN medication frequency.
• To compare the effectiveness of live versus taped relaxation instruction.
• To evaluate changes in physiological and psychological measures post-training.

Main Methods:

• Sixty patients on PRN minor tranquilizers were randomly assigned to a control group, live instruction group, or taped instruction group.
• Dependent variables included PRN medication frequency, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores.
• Data were collected pre- and post-instruction to analyze changes.

Main Results:

• While no significant difference was found between the methods of relaxation training, live instruction (Group B) showed a trend towards greater benefit than taped instruction (Group C).
• Physiological variables and MMPI scales K, I, and VII improved more in the live instruction group.
• Both training groups (B and C) showed positive responses, potentially due to study participation itself.

Conclusions:

• Relaxation training may offer a viable alternative to PRN medication for tension relief.
• Live relaxation instruction may provide slightly superior benefits compared to taped instruction.
• Further research is warranted to explore the nuances of relaxation training delivery and its impact on patient outcomes.