A Effectiveness of Multi-Intervention Programme Combining Benson's Relaxation Therapy and Counseling on Perceived Stress among Stroke Victims

Background: The global incidence of stroke reached 11.9 million cases in 2021, a 70% rise since 1990, with India contributing 1.25 million new cases, or 10% of the global burden. High perceived stress levels among stroke survivors negatively impact rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life.  Methods: His randomized controlled trial employed a quantitative pre-test post-test control group design. Conducted in the Thrissur District, Kerala, the study enrolled 60 stroke patients, selected via simple random sampling. A multi-intervention program, including Benson’s relaxation therapy and counseling, was administered to the experimental group. Perceived stress levels were reassessed after one month.  Results: After one month, the experimental group demonstrated a 78.77% reduction in perceived stress (pre-test mean score = 70.40, post-test mean score = 14.93), compared to the control group, which showed no significant change. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant decrease in perceived stress across time points in the experimental group (p<0.001) but not in the control group (p=0.700).  Conclusion: The multi-intervention program significantly reduced perceived stress among stroke patients, underscoring the value of combining physical and psychological rehabilitation strategies for improved recovery outcomes.