The Effect of Benson Relaxation Exercise Applied to Cancer Patients on Sleep Quality

June 23, 2026 updated by: Dilek Baykal, Atlas University
This is a study conducted to evaluate the effect of the Benson relaxation exercise on resolving sleep problems in cancer patients. It uses a randomized controlled pre-test/post-test design.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

A sleep hygiene booklet aimed at improving sleep quality in cancer patients was prepared for the control group based on a literature review. The sleep hygiene booklet included the information necessary for achieving quality sleep. An informational booklet on the Benson relaxation exercise was also developed. Care was taken to ensure that both booklets were engaging, easy to read, and written in clear and understandable language. Before printing, a pilot test was conducted by having patients with different educational backgrounds read the booklets. Finally, the booklets were printed and prepared for use during the data collection process.

Patients in both groups were first informed about the study, and written informed consent was obtained. Patients in the control group were initially asked to complete the Patient Identification Form and the PSQI. Following data collection, the control group received education through the sleep hygiene booklet. No further intervention was applied. The data collection process took approximately 5-15 minutes. After 15 days, the PSQI was administered again.

For the experimental group, after completing the Patient Identification Form and the PSQI, patients were given the Benson relaxation exercise booklet, and the exercise was performed together with them. Patients in the experimental group were instructed to practice the Benson relaxation exercise twice daily for 15 days. Accordingly, daily reminders were provided to encourage adherence to the exercise regimen. At the end of the 15-day period, the PSQI was administered again to the intervention group.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

72

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Over 18 years old
  • Given cancer disease
  • Don't have any communication problems

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having an illness other than a cancer diagnosis
  • Using any narcotic agent that causes sedation
  • Using any farmacologic agent for sleep problems

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Benson relaxation exercise
Benson Relaxation Exercises were developed by Dr. Herbert Benson. It is a non-pharmacological, non-invasive, and easy-to-learn method that relaxes all muscles.
Behavioral: Benson relaxation exercise
Relaxation exercises, developed by Dr. Herbert Benson, are a non-pharmacological, non-invasive, and simple method of learning that relaxes all muscles. It is emphasized as being the most suitable method in terms of ease of application and learning compared to other relaxation exercises. This method is used as an effective and reliable way to solve various problems such as controlling stress, relieving pain, improving mood disorders, and enhancing sleep quality.
Placebo Comparator: Sleep hygiene
A sleep hygiene booklet has been created and provides information about sleep hygiene.
Behavioral: Sleep hygiene
A booklet on sleep hygiene was created, and training was provided.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sleep quality
Time Frame: 6 months
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and sleep disturbances over the previous month. It consists of 19 self-rated items that generate seven component scores and a global score, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality.
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Atlas University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 27, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 27, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

February 28, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Atlas Uni

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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