Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Quality of Life and Fatigue Severity among Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients'.

Abstract

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that distresses multiple organ systems and roots a broad spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations. Progressive relaxation exercises showed a great impact on many suffers in both medical and surgical conditions. Aim: to determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on quality of life and fatigue severity among systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Design: A quasi experimental research design with a pretest-posttest control group was used. Setting: The study was conducted at the Kidney Diseases Outpatient Clinic at the Damanhur Medical National Institute. Subjects: A purposive sample of 80 adult patients diagnosed with SLE (40 patients for each group). Tools: Three tools were used, Tool (I) "Demographic data structured interview schedule for patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus". Tool (II):-"Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Interview questionnaire". (SLEQOLIQ). Tool (III):-Fatigue Severity Scale. Results: Approximately two thirds of patients were aged from 30 to 40 years, majority were female, married; secondary educated, manual work and house wife, from rural area with insufficient income. Majority of patients on a state expense for paying treatment, with more than three years disease duration, discover the disease through its manifestations, suffering from CVD, renal failure and anemia as disease complications. It was found a significant difference between the control and study group regarding quality of life dimensions, total quality of life, and fatigue level even after 15 days and 30 days of follow up while there was no significant difference between both groups before intervention. Conclusion: The application of the progressive muscle relaxation technique as a complementary therapy for SLE patients is encouraged where the safety, simplicity, and effectiveness of this technique enhance the QOL and decrease fatigue of SLE patients.