Effect of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on Anxiety, Fatigue and Quality of Sleep in patients with Sleep Paralysis - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Benson's Relaxation Technique significantly reduced anxiety and fatigue and improved sleep quality in 40 sleep paralysis patients after an 8-week intervention. Pre- and post-treatment scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Unusual Sleep Experiences Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Chalder Fatigue Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index showed statistically reliable differences (p < 0.001). Sleep paralysis is a common but understudied condition in which voluntary muscles remain relaxed upon waking; general population prevalence is 7.6%. The authors conclude that the technique is effective for these outcomes.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition related in which there is difficulty in moving which occurs when a person is sleeping or just waking. While sleeping, the whole body relaxes, and the voluntary muscles do not move. This prevents people from injuring themselves when acting out dreams. A person may wake up while their body is in this relaxed state. This is called as ‘sleep paralysis’. Sleep paralysis is relatively common but under studied phenomenon. Recent survey showed the general population for sleep paralysis is 7.6%. Research suggest that anxiety, fatigue and quality of sleep is affected due to sleep paralysis and corelation is found between them. Aim: To study the effect of Benson’s Relaxation Technique on anxiety, fatigue and quality of sleep in patients with Sleep Paralysis. Methodology: Participants were briefed about the nature of the study and the intervention. Their informed written consent was taken. 40 participants were selected based on the selection criteria. Prior and after the treatment the outcome measures that are Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) Unusual Sleep Experiences Questionnaire (USEQ), State -Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale ,Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were taken. Intervention protocol Benson’s Relaxation Technique was given for 8 weeks. Result: There is a significant statistical reliable difference between the pre & post treatment values with p-value is less than the 5% significance level (i.e. 0.001 < 0.05) in the study and therefore it indicates the strong evidence that there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of anxiety, fatigue and quality of sleep in sleep paralysis patients after Benson’s Relaxation technique. Conclusion: The present study concluded that Benson’s Relaxation Technique has a significant effect on reducing anxiety , fatigue and improving quality of sleep in sleep paralysis patients.