Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise on Psychological Symptoms and Mental Well-Being in Individuals With Schizophrenia

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a nurse-led progressive relaxation exercise (PRE) program on the severity of psychiatric symptoms and mental well-being in individuals with schizophrenia. Method: The study was conducted in three community mental health centers (CMHCs) in two provinces in the southeast and east Anatolia regions, using a quasi-experimental pre-/posttest control group design. The sample comprised individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who regularly received health care services at a CMHC ( N = 90; n = 45 in the intervention group, n = 45 in the control group) and met research criteria. Results: PRE, delivered by psychiatric–mental health nurses (PMHNs), was found to effectively reduce psychiatric symptoms and increase mental well-being in individuals with schizophrenia. Mean pretest total score on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was 47.87 ( SD = 18.61), whereas mean posttest total score was 39.22 ( SD = 16.28). Mean pretest total score of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale was 39.96 ( SD = 10.67), whereas mean posttest total score was 50.42 ( SD = 8.06); these differences were statistically significant ( p < .05). Conclusion: According to results of the current study, PRE is recommended as an evidence-based, complementary treatment that can easily be integrated into the routine care of individuals with schizophrenia by PMHNs and other mental health professionals.