Deep breathing relaxation exercise for reducing anxiety of patients under hemodialysis treatment

Abstract

Objective

This study was aimed to determine the effect of deep breathing relaxation exercises on anxiety scores in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

The experimental, time-series design was conducted in 30 patients in the hemodialysis room. A deep breathing relaxation exercise was given to the intervention group twice a day (10 min/exercise) for two weeks. Anxiety was assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), at baseline, after 1-week and 2-week intervention anxiety. An independent t-test was used to analyze the effect of deep breathing exercises on anxiety scores in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Results

Intervention group showed a higher reduction of anxiety compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Following a 2-week intervention, lower anxiety scores were shown in the intervention group (1.4 vs 26.07) compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Deep breathing relaxation exercises can minimize anxiety score levels of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, this exercise should be recommended for patients under hemodialysis to manage anxiety.