Benson Relaxation for Anxiety and Depression After Stroke
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Benson Relaxation Technique, Structured Health Education.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Ischemic Stroke, Acute, Post-stroke Anxiety, Post-stroke Depression. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Short-term Effects of Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety, Depression, and Prefrontal Cortical Function in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
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.
Detailed description
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many patients experience anxiety and depression in the early recovery phase, which can slow rehabilitation. Medications for mood symptoms may have side effects, especially in acute stroke patients. Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) is a non-pharmacological mind-body intervention involving breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. This single-center, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the short-term effects of BRT on anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and prefrontal brain function in patients 7-14 days after ischemic stroke. A total of 74 participants will be randomly assigned to either the BRT group or a structured health education control group. Interventions will be delivered twice daily for 20 minutes over 14 days. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, day 14). Primary outcomes are anxiety and depression scores (HADS). Secondary outcomes include sleep quality (PSQI), stroke-specific quality of life (SS-QOL), and resting-state prefrontal functional connectivity measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Interventions
- Behavioral 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. - Behavioral 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.
Primary outcome measures
- Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety and Depression Subscales [Time frame: Baseline (T0, within 24 hours of enrollment) and post-intervention (T1, day 14 ± 1 day)]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [Time frame: T0 and T1 (day 14)]
- Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) [Time frame: T0 and T1 (day 14)]
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) [Time frame: T0 and T1 (day 14)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Meets the diagnostic criteria for stroke set by the Neurology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and is confirmed as ischemic stroke based on CT or MRI examination results.
- In the acute stage of stroke (7-14 days after onset) ③ Age ≥ 18 years old ④ Clear consciousness, stable condition, and able to communicate effectively ⑤ Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score: HADS-A ≥ 8 points or HADS-D ≥ 8 points (or both ≥ 8 points) ⑥ Voluntarily participate in this study and sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
- Combined with severe aphasia, visual and auditory impairments, unable to cooperate with intervention and assessment
- Combined with severe dysfunction of organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys or malignant tumors ③ Has a clear history of mental illness or has been taking anti-psychotic drugs for a long time ④ Is currently participating in other clinical intervention studies
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine — Changchun
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07731282 · BRT-Stroke-2026-CCUCM