Effect of relaxation therapy on pre-induction blood pressure and anxiety in hypertensive patients: A randomized controlled study

Background: Anxiety associated with surgical stress can lead to high blood pressure (BP), which may end up with undue last minute cancellation of surgery. Relaxation therapy is now being widely used as a complementary therapy for stress and high BP. We conducted a randomized controlled study to compare the effect of relaxation therapy on pre-induction anxiety and BP in hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted on hypertensive patients undergoing elective surgery. They were allocated into two groups (relaxation therapy and control) using simple randomization with allocation concealment. The relaxation therapy group received intervention by an audio clip an evening prior and 30 min before the scheduled surgery. Their anxiety score on numerical rating scale (0–10) and BP was recorded before and after each intervention. The control group received standard care only. Pre-induction BP and anxiety score were recorded in both groups. The outcome measures were difference in pre-induction anxiety and BP between relaxation and control groups and difference in pre- and post-relaxation anxiety and BP. Results: Out of 70 patients, 30 received relaxation therapy and 34 received standard pre-operative care. There was a significant reduction in BP and anxiety after relaxation therapy in the intervention group (P < 0.0001). The relaxation therapy group showed significantly lower pre-induction systolic BP (138.93 vs. 156.59, P < 0.0001) and anxiety score (2.5 vs. 5.5, P < 0.0001) than the control group. Requirement of anxiolytic drug was less in the relaxation therapy group. Conclusion: Relaxation therapy significantly reduces pre-induction BP and anxiety.