N11 The effect of progressive relaxation techniques on disease activity, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life in individuals with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to determine the effect of progressive relaxation techniques on disease activity, anxiety, sleep quality, and quality of life in individuals with ulcerative colitis. Methods This study was conducted as a randomized controlled three-arm experimental study. A total of 56 patients with ulcerative colitis were randomly divided into a progressive relaxation (n=19), placebo (n=19) and control (n=18) group. The data of the study were collected using the "Individual Identification Form", "Partial Mayo Score", "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory", "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index", and "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire". Progressive relaxation techniques were applied to individuals in the progressive relaxation group by providing a video and educational brochure and practicing at least once a day for 25-minute sessions for 8 weeks; a special music selection for relaxation was played for individuals in the placebo group for at least one 25-minute session a day for 8 weeks. No application was made to individuals in the control group. Data collection forms were applied to all individuals before and 4th and 8th weeks after the application. Results The average age of the participants in the study was 38.75±11.47, and 51.8% of them were female. It was found that there was a decrease in disease activity scores at the 4th and 8th weeks in both the progressive relaxation and placebo groups, with a greater decrease observed in the progressive relaxation group.This difference was not statistically significant. Anxiety levels of the individuals, it was found that there was a statistically significant decrease in both state and trait anxiety score averages at the 4th and 8th weeks in both the progressive relaxation and placebo groups, with a higher percentage of decrease observed in the progressive relaxation group (p<0.05). Sleep quality score averages at the 4th and 8th weeks, it was found that there was no statistically significant change in the control group, while the score averages of both the progressive relaxation and placebo groups significantly decreased, with a higher percentage of decrease observed in the progressive relaxation group (p<0.05). In the progressive relaxation and placebo groups, it was found that the life quality score averages significantly increased at the 4th and 8th weeks, with a higher percentage of increase observed in the progressive relaxation group (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study has shown that progressive relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety levels and improve sleep and quality of life in individuals with ulcerative colitis.