The Effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercises following Lumbar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on anxiety, pain, and sleep quality among patients who underwent surgery for lumbar disc hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS This randomized, non-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted with 97 patients who had a lumbar microdiscectomy. On the first, second, and third day of the postoperative period, routine nursing care was performed on the control group, while additional progressive relation exercises were performed on the experimental group. RESULTS When the experimental and control groups were compared regarding SAI, VAS-P, and VAS-S scores before the surgery, no differences were found (p > 0.05); however, there were significant differences in the scores obtained on the mornings of the second and third days after the surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Progressive relation exercises used as a supportive nursing intervention were found to reduce pain and anxiety and increase sleep quality.