Progressive Muscle Relaxation Improves Anxiety and Depression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients

Abstract

We explored the effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). One hundred and thirty Han Chinese patients with PAH were randomly assigned to a PMR group (n = 65) and a control group (n = 65). In a 12-week study duration, the PMR group received hospital-based group and in-home PMR practice, while the control group received hospital-based mild group stretching and balance exercises. The control group and the PMR group were comparable at baseline. After 12 weeks of intervention, the PMR group showed significant improvement in anxiety, depression, overall QOL, and the mental component summary score of QOL (P < 0.05) but not the physical component summary score of QOL or the 6-minute walking distance. In contrast, the control group showed no significant improvement in any of the variables. Moreover, the PMR group showed significant improvement in all QOL mental health domains (P < 0.05) but not the physical health domains. In contrast, the control group showed no significant improvement in any QOL domain. In conclusion, this study suggests that PMR practice is effective in improving anxiety, depression, and the mental health components of QOL in patients with PAH.

Effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on stress, anxiety, and depression after hysterectomy

“…The present study result agrees with the results of Li et al (2015), [37] Charalambous et al (2015) [38] and El Malky (2015). [39] The first, had studied Progressive Muscle Relaxation Improves Anxiety and Depression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients.…”

Comparison of the effectiveness of two different interventions to reduce preoperative anxiety: A randomized controlled study

“…The patient works the muscle groups starting with the hands, followed by the arms, shoulders, pectorals, legs, and feet (Demiralp & Oflaz, ). Relaxation exercises have been reported to reduce anxiety when used in hormonal therapy, ectopic pregnancy, arthroplasty, abdominal surgery, radical mastectomy, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (Pan et al , ; Zhao et al , ; Büyükyılmaz & Aştı, ; Rejeh et al , ; Li et al , ; Zhou et al , ). However, we found no research on the effects of relaxation exercises on preoperative anxiety.…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Intervention Providing Computer-Generated Tailored Feedback to Target Alcohol Consumption and Depressive Symptoms in Proactively Recruited Health Care Patients and Reactively Recruited Media Volunteers: Results of a Pilot Study

“…Based on the work of Levesque et al [13], it intended to address depressive symptoms by motivating individuals to implement evidence-based depression preventive or ameliorating behaviors (DPBs) into their daily routine. The 5 target behaviors were (1) obviate negative thoughts [22,23], (2) engage in healthy, pleasant activities on most days [24,25], (3) practice stress management on most days [26][27][28], (4) exercise on most days [29][30][31], and (5) getting help (professional or nonprofessional) when needed. A detailed description of the intervention including example letters in German is provided in the supplement.…”