The effect of tele-breathing exercise on COVID-19 fear, sleep quality and quality of life in online learning university students

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tele-breathing exercises on fear of Covid-19, sleep and quality of life in healthy online learning university students during the Covid-19 pandemic period. This study was carried out at Istanbul Health and Technology University between March 15, 2021 and April 26, 2021. Forty seven volunteer students aged between 18-24 years participated in this study. Participants were asked to perform the exercises 3 days a week, 2 times a day for 6 weeks. The Fear of Covid-19 Scale was used to assess fear of Covid-19, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quality, and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale to assess quality of life. No significant difference was found between the Covid-19 Fear scores before and after the 6 weeks exercise program (p>0,05). An improvement in sleep quality was observed when compared before and after exercise (p<0.05). There was a significant improvement in general health perception, emotional role difficulties, mental health and mental health (general) levels, which are sub-dimensions of quality of life (p<0.05). When the relationship of fear of Covid-19 with sleep and quality of life was examined, it was found that fear of Covid-19 was associated with sleep disorder one of the sub-parameters of sleep quality, and physical role difficulty and physical health conditions from the sub-parameters of quality of life. As a result, in this study, it was concluded that breathing exercises are effective in improving sleep and quality of life levels of healthy young individuals during extraordinary public health situations such as pandemics.