The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise Performed Before Coronary Angiography on Anxiety, Comfort, Pain, and Physiological Parameters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

During coronary angiography, patients may experience problems such as anxiety, pain, and irregular vital signs. These problems can negatively affect the comfort of patients.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted this study to investigate the effects of progressive relaxation exercise on anxiety, comfort, pain, and physiological parameters in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS

A total of 74 patients completed this randomized controlled trial. Descriptive Characteristics Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perianesthesia Comfort Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale, Vital Signs Follow-up Form, and Complications Follow-up Form were used to collect the data. The patients in the intervention group were administered a 30-minute progressive relaxation exercise before undergoing the coronary angiography. The standard practice of the hospital was applied to the control group.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, the pain severity score was 0.45 ± 0.83, the state anxiety score was 39.78 ± 6.84, and the Perianesthesia Comfort Questionnaire score was 77.13 ± 7.67 after coronary angiography. In the control group, the pain severity score was 1.02 ± 1.23, the state anxiety score was 44.75 ± 7.51, and the Perianesthesia Comfort Questionnaire score was 72.81 ± 7.39. The pain ( P = .033) and anxiety ( P = .004) levels of the patients in the intervention group were lower and the comfort level ( P = .016) was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Progressive relaxation exercise administered to patients undergoing coronary angiography decreased anxiety and pain levels and increased comfort levels. We recommend that progressive relaxation exercise, which is easy to implement, does not require invasive procedures, and is economically beneficial, be integrated into nursing care practices and its use be widespread.