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The Effectiveness of Diaphragmatic Breathing Relaxation Training for Reducing Anxiety
Author(s) -
Chen YuFen,
Huang XuanYi,
Chien ChingHui,
Cheng JuiFen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/ppc.12184
Subject(s) - diaphragmatic breathing , beck anxiety inventory , anxiety , heart rate , respiratory rate , breathing , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , medicine , biofeedback , relaxation (psychology) , anesthesia , psychology , blood pressure , beck depression inventory , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness on reducing anxiety of a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation (DBR) training program. DESIGN AND METHODS This experimental, pre‐test–post‐test randomized controlled trial with repeated measures collected data using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and biofeedback tests for skin conductivity, peripheral blood flow, heart rate, and breathing rate. FINDINGS The experimental group achieved significant reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory scores ( p < .05), peripheral temperature ( p = .026), heart rate ( p = .005), and breathing rate ( p = .004) over the 8‐week training period. The experimental group further achieved a significant reduction in breathing rate ( p < .001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The findings provide guidance for providing quality care that effectively reduces the anxiety level of care recipients in clinical and community settings.