Effect of Respiratory Physiotherapy and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises on Dyspnea, Anxiety, Hemodynamic Status and Delirium Symptoms After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of respiratory physiotherapy combined with progressive muscle relaxation exercises on dyspnea, anxiety, hemodynamic status, and delirium symptoms in patients following cardiac surgery. A total of 116 adult patients who have undergone cardiac surgery will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: an intervention group and a control group.

The intervention group will receive respiratory physiotherapy techniques, including breathing exercises, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration, together with progressive muscle relaxation exercises, in addition to routine postoperative care. These interventions will be applied for 30 minutes per day over three consecutive days in the postoperative period. The control group will receive only routine postoperative care and standard cardiac rehabilitation procedures.

Outcome measures will include dyspnea assessed using the Modified Borg Scale, anxiety assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, hemodynamic parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation obtained from routine vital sign monitoring, and delirium symptoms assessed using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale. Data will be collected at baseline and after the intervention period.

Inclusion criteria include patients aged 18 years and older who have undergone cardiac surgery and are able to participate in the interventions. Patients with severe orthopedic limitations, communication barriers, or medical contraindications to the interventions will be excluded. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time, and all procedures will be conducted in accordance with ethical standards and patient safety principles.

Randomization will be performed using a computer-based randomization method, and participants will be assigned to groups in a 1:1 ratio. Statistical analysis will be conducted using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.