The effect of progressive relaxation exercises performed before coronary angiography on the vital signs, anxiety and comfort level of individuals

The aim of the experimental with non-randomized control group research is to examine the effects of progressive relaxation exercises (PGE) on vital signs, anxiety and comfort levels in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography (CAG) for the first time. The research was carried out in the Cardiology Service of Düzce University Health Practice and Research Center and the daily angio unit between June 2022 and December 2022. The sample of the research consisted of a total of 70 patients, 35 of whom were in the intervention group and 35 in the control group, determined by randomization. PGE was applied to the intervention group for 20 minutes in a quiet room before the CAG procedure.The control group received standard nursing care and was not applied any intervention by the researcher. The data of the research was collected with, "Patient Description Form", "Vital Signs Follow-up Chart Form", "Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)", "State Anxiety Scale (DAS)" and "General Comfort Scale Short Form (GAS-BF) ". When the patients in both groups were hospitalized, the first measurement; the second measurement of the group that received PGE before CAG and the control group that did not receive any treatment; the third measurement data of both groups were collected 30 minutes after the CAG procedure. After the PGE application, DAS and pain scores of the intervention group decreased (p<0,05), and the DAS-SF scores increased (p<0,05). There was a statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups in the second measurement (after PGE application-before CAG), respiratory rate, DAS and GAS-SF score averages (p<0,05). In this study, PGE application had a positive effect on reducing anxiety and pain levels, increasing comfort level, and SBP, pulse and respiratory rates, which are vital signs parameters of patients who will undergo CAG for the first time. PGE is recommended to be used by nurses to reduce the anxiety and pain levels of patients who will undergo CAG, to increase their comfort level, to benefit from its positive effect on vital signs, and to increase the quality of nursing care. Keywords: Anxiety, Coronary angiography, Patient comfort, Progressive relaxation exercises, Vital signs