The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Deep Breathing Exercises Applied to Palliative Care Cancer Patients on Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Self-Care Behaviors

Sponsor
Ankara University
Study ID
NCT07619209
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Cancer
  • Fatigue
  • Palliative Care
  • Patient
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation — BEHAVIORAL
    A structured relaxation training based on tension and release of major muscle groups. In the initial session, patients will receive visual and practical education on how to perform PMR. They will be provided with an MP3 player containing guided audio instructions to facilitate independent practice. Patients will be instructed to perform the PMR program once daily for 6 weeks. For hospitalized patients, the sessions will be guided directly by the researcher; discharged patients will be followed up via phone.
  • Deep Breathing Exercises — BEHAVIORAL
    A structured respiratory intervention consisting of controlled breathing techniques, specifically diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing and pursed-lip breathing, aimed at managing dyspnea. Detailed practical training on these techniques will be provided to the patients in the first interview. Patients will be requested to perform these breathing exercises twice daily for 6 weeks. Hospitalized patients will perform them under the researcher's supervision, and discharged patients will be monitored via weekly phone calls.

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) exercises and deep breathing exercises on dyspnea, fatigue, and self-care behaviors among cancer patients receiving palliative care. Advanced-stage cancer patients frequently experience debilitating symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnea) and severe fatigue, which significantly impair their functional capacity and daily self-care activities. Participants in this study will be assigned to either a progressive muscle relaxation intervention group or a structured deep breathing exercise group. The study aims to determine whether these non-pharmacological relaxation techniques can effectively reduce the severity of dyspnea and fatigue, thereby improving the patients' overall self-care behaviors and physical comfort in a palliative care setting.

Key Dates

First listed
Jun 1, 2026
Start date
Jan 1, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
90 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Intervention Group 1: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
    Patients in this group will receive standard clinical care and a structured Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) program. In the initial session, patients will be provided with visual education on PMR exercises and trained on how to use an MP3 player containing guided exercise tracks for home practice. They will be requested to perform the PMR exercises once daily for a total duration of 6 weeks. For hospitalized patients, the exercises will be directly administered and supervised by the researcher. Follow-up after discharge will be maintained via weekly phone calls.
  • Experimental: Intervention Group 2: Deep Breathing Exercises
    Patients in this group will receive standard clinical care and a structured deep breathing exercise program, including pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing techniques. In the initial session, detailed practical training on these respiratory techniques will be provided by the researcher. Patients will be requested to perform these deep breathing exercises twice daily for a total duration of 6 weeks. For hospitalized patients, the exercises will be directly supervised by the researcher. Follow-up after discharge will be managed via weekly phone calls.
  • No Intervention: Control Group: Standard Care
    Patients assigned to this group will receive standard routine clinical care, symptom management, and regular clinical follow-up provided by the palliative care unit. No additional experimental relaxation or respiratory exercise protocols will be administered to this group during the 6-week study period.

Primary Outcome Measure

Cancer Dyspnea Scale (CDS) [ Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention), Week 3, and Week 6 ]

Central Contacts

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