The use of the "Progressive Muscle Relaxation" technique for pain relief in gynecology and obstetrics

Abstract

Pain is one of the most frequent symptoms observed in patients and various treatments are proposed for its relief, including relaxation techniques. With the purpose of testing the effect of a specific intervention (progressive muscle relaxation) in a determined situation (pain), this study aimed at verifying the level of pain in post-surgery patients prior to and after the application of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique. The subjects, 61 patients, had been submitted to abdominal surgical interventions, of which 52.5% had a gynecological nature and 47.5% obstetrical. Our data showed statistically significant alterations in life parameters as well as muscular alterations after the application of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique. It was concluded that the use of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique enabled the subjects to determine that their pain levels decreased.

Efetividade de estratégias não farmacológicas no alívio da dor de parturientes no trabalho de parto

“…In a study conducted in the city of Goiânia, in the state of Goiás (GO), Brazil, using individualized assistance with guidance and encouragement of breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques during labor, it was found that in the active phase of labor there was a predominance of pain; with the increase in pain tolerance during labor, encouragement, force, and physical and psycho-emotional well-being occurred in that period (18) . Another study using methods of progressive muscle relaxation showed significant reduction in the level of pain in parturient women subjected to this technique (8) .…”

“…As for the shower intervention, effective relief on parturient women's pain with the impact of a warm bath reduced the women's pain and promoted relaxation and comfort (8) . In addition, the warm bath and hot compress on the lower back region is effective in controlling parturient women pain.…”

“…In an intervention study, as a progressive muscle relaxation technique was applied on parturient women, it was demonstrated that this technique results in the relief of pain for these women. It is relevant as the interference effects of researchers for data collection while applying the technique demonstrated important reductions in the level of pain in parturient women (8) .…”

Non-pharmacological strategies on pain relief during labor: pre-testing of an instrument

“…This is relevant as the effects of the researchers' interference in data collection during the application of the technique showed an important reduction in the pain level of the parturients under study (14) .…”

Maximizing self-care through familiarity: The role of practice effects in enhancing music listening and progressive muscle relaxation for pain management

“…It is expected that regular use/practice of active/ passive distraction will also prove beneficial, and therefore, there will be improvements in all measures after 7 days of practice, at week 2. PMR necessitates greater participation during use than music listening as it involves wilful contraction and relaxation of specific muscle groups (de Paula, de Carvalho, & dos Santos, 2002). Therefore, it is hypothesised that self-efficacy will be enhanced to a greater extent by PMR than by music listening.…”