The effect of progressive relaxing exercises on anxiety and comfort level of patients undergoing mastectomy surgery

This study has been done to observe the effect of progressive relaxing exercises on anxiety and comfort level of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy;With a control group pre test-post test quasi-experimental model. The research was conducted between 20.07.2012 and 01.06.2013 in adult cemoterapy unity of Gaziantep University Oncology Hospital. This study has been carried out with experiment (30) and control (30) groups totally 60 patients who accepted to attend this study and were suitable for this study. The data collection was used to 'Personel Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and General Comfort Scale. Assessment of data, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test (X2), independent samples t-test, paired samples t test were used. The average age of the patients attended the study is 49.06±7.96. 83.3( n=25) percent of the patients in experiment group and 86.7(n=26) percent of patients in control group are married. It was found out that state anxiety post test scores average was 36,20±8,21 in experimental group while it was 43,43±7,76 in control group , and there was significant distinction between groups(p=0.001). It was found out that general comfort scale post test scores average was 149,53±3,92 in experimental group while it was 137,70±14,96 in control group , and there was significant distinction between groups(p=0.005). It was detected that score average of state anxiety pretest in experimental group was 42,26±7,4, and that post test one was 36,20±8,21 and distinction between the groups was significantly meaningful(p<0.005). It was detected that score average of general comfort scale pretest in experimental group was 140,46±13,10, and that post test one was 149,53±13,92 and distinction between the groups was significantly meaningful(p=0.002). As a result, progressive relaxing exercises affect patients' comfort and anxiety levels positively.