Effect of White Noise and Benson’s Relaxation Training on Sleep Quality Among Geriatric Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: Aquasi- Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep quality represents a highly prevalent condition among geriatric patients awaiting open heart surgery that confers a marked risk for both overall health and surgical outcomes. The integration of technology-assisted white noise therapy and Benson’s relaxation technique may offer a safe and scalable non-pharmacological approach to improve preoperative sleep quality without adding medication-related risks in this vulnerable group.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of white noise and Benson’s relaxation training on sleep quality among geriatric patients undergoing open heart surgery.
Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test non-equivalent control group research design was employed. A purposive sample of 44 geriatric patients awaiting open heart surgery at the Center of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Mansoura University was recruited (22 in the intervention and 22 in the control group). The intervention group received a combined white noise and Benson’s relaxation training intervention and routine preoperative care delivered over a three-day period preoperatively, while routine preoperative care only was provided to the control group. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Baseline comparisons indicated no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, post-intervention analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in preoperative sleep quality favoring the intervention group. Moreover, within-group analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in preoperative sleep quality among participants receiving the intervention.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the value of integrating white noise and Benson’s relaxation training in improving sleep quality in geriatric patients undergoing open heart surgery.