Benson Relaxation for Anxiety and Depression After Stroke

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Benson Relaxation Technique: A 20-minute mind-body relaxation session including environment preparation, breathing regulation, systematic muscle relaxation, and guided imagery, delivered twice daily for 14 days by trained nurses at the bedside.

Structured Health Education: A 20-minute structured health education session covering stroke rehabilitation knowledge, diet guidance, medication adherence, and emotional management, delivered twice daily for 14 days by nurses at the bedside, matched in frequency and duration to the BRT group.

Study summary

This study tests whether Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT), a simple mind-body relaxation method, can help reduce anxiety and depression in patients who had an ischemic stroke 7-14 days ago. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the BRT group (receiving 20-minute relaxation sessions twice daily for 2 weeks) or a control group (receiving health education sessions of the same duration). We will measure anxiety and depression using standard questionnaires, and use near-infrared brain imaging to see if BRT changes brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. The goal is to find a safe, non-drug way to improve mood in early stroke recovery.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety and Depression Subscales — Baseline (T0, within 24 hours of enrollment) and post-intervention (T1, day 14 ± 1 day)
  The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used to assess anxiety (HADS-A, 7 items, 0-21 points) and depression (HADS-D, 7 items, 0-21 points). A score ≥8 on either subscale indicates clinically significant symptoms. The scale will be administered by a blinded assessor at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, day 14).

Trial sites (1)

Other trials for the same condition