Effects of Relaxation Exercises Combined with Breathing Exercises on Psychological Conditions in Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Aim: Psychiatric disorders have been known for centuries as a serious individual and public health problem in terms of suicide, job loss and relapse. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of relaxation and breathing exercises on anxiety and depression in psychiatric patients.Method: This study was conducted with 40 (18 females, 22 males) inpatients in Psychiatry Clinic of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University According to the power analysis results, Type1 error = 0.05 alpha Type2 error beta 80% was calculated to make a significant difference in the 1st and 2nd evaluations. Health Application and Research Hospital. Individuals have been enrolled in a relaxation exercise program combined with breathing exercises every day for 3 weeks accompanied by a physiotherapist. Individual’s levels of psychological symptoms have been assessed with Symptom Check List-90-R Psychological Symptoms Screening Test.Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.45, standard deviation value 8.63 years. A significant recovery has been observed in the psychological symptoms of individuals in all sub-parameters of SCL-90-R screening test after the exercise program (p<0.05).Conclusion: In this study, it was found that breathing and relaxation exercises applied to psychiatric patients contributed to the reduction of psychiatric symptoms. In addition, it was found that breathing and relaxation exercises performed with physiotherapists positively affect the treatment process of psychiatric patients and may contribute to the early discharge of these patients.