European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 7, Issue 9, 2020 2628 EFFECT OF BENSON RELAXATION EXERCISE ON BLOOD PRESSURE OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DM Yanti Cahyati 1* , Peni Cahyati 2 1,2 Department of Nursing,PoltekkesKemenkesTasikmalaya, Indonesia *1 yantinaufal@ gmail.com; 2 peni_poltekestsm@yahoo.com Abstract: Hypertension is a condition that is often found in patients with Type II DM. This condition requires proper treatment because it can cause various complications experienced by patients. Benson relaxation exercises are an alternative therapy that can be applied to DM patients who have hypertension. Apart from being able to control blood glucose levels, several studies have shown that this relaxation exercise has a significant effect in lowering blood pressure. This study aims to see the effect of Benson relaxation exercises on the blood pressure of patients with Type II diabetes.This type of research is quantitative with a pre and post test quasi-experimental design. The population in this study were all type II DM patients who went to the Internal Medicine clinic of RSUD Dr. SoekardjoTasikmalaya at the time of the research. The number of respondents in this study were 32 people. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the average diastolic blood pressure of respondents before and after exercise. Keywords: Type II diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, benson relaxation. INTRODUCTION The American Diabetes association (ADA) in 2010, diabetes mellitus is defined (DM) as a metabolic disease characterized by Hyperglycemia due to abnormal insulin, action of insulin, or both. Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose exceeds the normal (70 - 140 mg / dL). Other symptoms often felt by people with diabetes (often feel hungry), polydipsi (blood-thirsty), polyuria (frequent urination). If that happens, then it will take a long time. because of the lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes, which is caused by actions that are not effective against Diabetes Mellitus(1). Who explained that the DM is one of the four priorities for diseases of non- communicable diseases (PTM) and the main cause for blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and amputation of the feet. In the year 2015, the number of cases of DM reaches 415 million adults. It is estimated that this figure will increase in 2040 to 642 million. Much of this increase will occur in developing countries due to population growth, aging, unhealthy diet, obesity and sedentary life style. In the year 2025, while most people with diabetes in developed countries will be 65 or older, in developing countries most will be in the 45-64 age group and will be affected in the years of their most productive(2). Like conditions in the world, diabetes is now one of the biggest causes of death in Indonesia. Basic health research data (riskesdas) in 2018 shows the prevalence of national DM is 8.5% or around 20.4 million Indonesians affected by DM. DM sufferers also often experience acute and chronic complications that end in death. The IDF (International Diabetes Federation) organization predicts that there will be an increasing increase in DM