The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise on Pain Level, Sleep Quality and Analgesic Consumption of Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Study

One of the non-pharmacological treatment methods that can provide therapeutic benefit for pain management and improving sleep quality is Progressive relaxation exercise (PRE). The PRE is the conscious contraction and relaxation of large muscle groups in the body, and noticing the change (Demir Burcu, 2013; Genç and Oğuz, 2018; Oğuz et al., 2019). The PRE technique, developed by Jacobson in 1929, is based on the idea that anxiety-provoking thoughts and events create physiological tension (Blanaru, 2012). Jacobson developed the PRE to raise awareness of skeletal muscle tension. Muscle tension is triggered by various negative emotions and psychosomatic diseases. With this exercise, relaxation is aimed to reduce the feeling of tension and the perceived stress level (Genç & Oğuz, 2018; Oğuz et al., 2019). The PRE; it is an inexpensive method that can be easily taught by nurses, yoga instructors, clinical psychologists, and other complementary alternative medicine practitioners. The PRE can be performed one-on-one or as a group in one or several sessions with the help of a CD or audio recorder. It can be applied with musical accompaniment, visual imagery or diaphragmatic breathing in order to increase its effectiveness (Genç and Oğuz, 2018; Oğuz et al., 2019). The PRE involves sequentially stretching and relaxing all 16 muscle groups as you breathe in. The exercise can be from head to foot or from foot to head. During the exercise, the patient must complete the processes of perceiving the tension in his body, maintaining control and being able to go into a state of relaxation. After the patient is informed about the exercise, he starts with breathing exercises. A deep but relaxing breath is taken through the nose, and simultaneously with the relaxation, the lips are contracted and breath given through the mouth. During this application, the patient keeps the muscle group he is working in for 10 seconds; the nurse, on the other hand, enables the patient to notice the warmth/warming felt in the muscle group (Demiralp, 2006; Demiralp & Oflaz, 2007; Ratfisch, 2015; Demiralp & Oflaz, 2011; Özveren, 2011; Eyüpoğlu, 2013). In order for PRE to be effective, there must be no factors that can warn the patient, and the room must be dim, airy and at a suitable temperature. During the exercise, the patient is asked to sit in a comfortable chair or lie on his back. Effective work does not occur because it is loaded on some muscle groups in the side or prone position. The patient should be physically and mentally comfortable. In order to achieve this, the clothes should be chosen loosely and there should be no items (belt, buckle, glasses, etc.) that will tighten the body. In the mental sense; It should be ensured that he can focus on a tool (sound, word, object, etc.) in order to get away from the bad thoughts in his mind (Yıldırım, 1991; McCallie et al., 2006; Özveren, 2011).

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive relaxation exercise applied to patients undergoing cardiac surgery on pain level, sleep quality and analgesic consumption. In addition, it is thought that the results obtained from this study will increase awareness of progressive relaxation exercise and other similar applications as a cheap, easy, effective, applicable and easily adaptable non-pharmacological method in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The research hypotheses are:

1. Progressive relaxation exercise have an effect on pain level in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
2. Progressive relaxation exercise have an effect on sleep quality in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
3. Progressive relaxation exercise have an effect on analgesic consumption in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
4. There is a difference between the pain level, sleep quality and analgesic consumption of the patients who underwent open heart surgery in the intervention group, in which progressive relaxation exercise was applied, and in the control group, which was not applied progressive relaxation exercise.