The Effect of Behavioral Relaxation Training on Distress and Cancer Screening Intention of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Purpose: This study evaluates the effect of behavioral relaxation training on distress and cancer screening intention of patients with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: The research was conducted in a non-equivalent control group posttest design. Data were collected from endoscopy subjects in B city from October to November of 2018. Fifteen minutes of behavioral relaxation training were provided to the experimental group (n=40) and traditional relaxation therapy methods were provided to the control group (n=40). Outcome measures were distress and cancer screening intention of patients with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Data were analyzed with a ${chi}^2$-test, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test with SPSS/PC version 23.0. Results: The objective discomfort (t=8.81, p<.001) of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group; there were no significant differences in the subjective discomfort (t=1.73, p=.088). The cancer screening intention (t=-5.85, p<.001) of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: Behavioral relaxation training was effective in heightening cancer screening intention. Therefore it can be usefully applied to increase cancer screening intention.