The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with COVID‐19: A randomized controlled study

Özlü, İbrahim; Öztürk, Zeynep; Karaman Özlü, Zeynep; Tekin, Erdal; Gür, Ali

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an experimental study. Its data were collected in the infectious diseases clinic of a research hospital from May to August, 2020. This study was carried out with 67 COVID‐19 patients (33 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group). The data were collected using a personal information form, the state‐trait anxiety inventory, and the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. The progressive muscle relaxation exercises were performed twice a day for 5 days with the researcher's supervision. The data were analyzed using means, numbers, percentage distributions, the χ (2) test, the dependent t test, and the independent t test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups' mean posttest scores on the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (p < 0.05). The in‐group comparison of the experimental group found a statistically significant difference between their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p < 0.05). The in‐group comparison of the control group found no statistically significant changes in their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The progressive muscle relaxation exercises effectively reduced the anxiety and improved the sleep quality of patients with COVID‐19.