This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of postoperative progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) on pain, anxiety, and physiological parameters among adult patients undergoing emergency general surgery. Seventy patients were randomized to either a PRE intervention delivered at postoperative hour 6, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 2, or to routine postoperative care. Pain (SF-MPQ), anxiety (STAI), and vital signs were measured. The trial demonstrated that PRE significantly reduced multidimensional pain and anxiety and improved heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. The study provides novel evidence that PRE is feasible and effective when implemented exclusively in the postoperative period among emergency surgical patients.
Who can participate
Age range18 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Adults aged 18 years or older.
✓. Undergoing an emergency surgical procedure requiring postoperative hospitalization.
✓. Conscious, oriented, and hemodynamically stable by postoperative hour 6.
✓. Able to communicate and follow verbal instructions.
✓. No psychiatric, neurological, cognitive, or auditory impairment that would prevent participation.
✓. No chronic pain disorder and not using long-term opioids, sedatives, or anxiolytics before admission.
✓. Provided written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
✕. Postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
✕. Development of postoperative complications preventing participation (e.g., severe bleeding, respiratory distress, infection).
✕. Inability to complete all three scheduled PRE sessions.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Postoperative Pain Score (SF-MPQ Total Score)
Timeframe: Postoperative hour 6 and postoperative day 2.
2
Change in State Anxiety Score (STAI-State, TX-L1)
Timeframe: Postoperative hour 6 and postoperative day 2.