The effect of progressive relaxation exercises applied to family members caregiving for hemiplegic patients on caregiving burden and meaning of life

Objective: This study is an experimental type study conducted to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises applied to family members caring for hemiplegic patients on caregiving burden and meaning of life. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of caregivers of a total of 60 hemiplegic patients, 30 intervention and 30 control groups, who were hospitalized in the physical therapy services of two different state hospitals between July 2023 and April 2024. 'Patient and Relative Form', 'Cheltanham's Patient Classification Scale', 'Burden of Caregiving Scale' and 'Meaning and Purpose of Life Scale' were used to collect the data. In the analysis of the data, number, percentage distribution and descriptive statistics were used to describe sociodemographic characteristics. Chi-square analysis was applied to test homogeneity in terms of descriptive characteristics. Independent t test was applied for the difference between two groups in normally distributed data, and paired t test was applied for the comparison of two dependent stages. For non-normally distributed data, the Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test were applied for the difference between two groups. Findings: The 15th and 30th day scores of the caregiving burden scale of the control group were higher than the intervention group, and there was a statistically significant difference between them (p<0.05). It is seen that the 15th and 30th day scores of the meaning and purpose of life scale of the intervention group are higher than the control group, and there is a statistically significant difference between them (p<0.05). Results: It was concluded that progressive relaxation exercises applied to caregivers had a positive effect on care burden and meaning of life. Keywords: Hemiplegia, Progressive Relaxation Exercise, Burden of Care, Meaning of Life, Caregiver