The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Deep Breathing Exercises on Dyspnea and Fatigue Symptoms of COPD Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises applied to patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on their dyspnea and fatigue symptoms. The study was a randomized controlled experimental trial and comprised 116 COPD patients who applied to a chest diseases follow-up outpatient clinic hospital located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The data were collected using the "Patient Information Form" including sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics of the patients, COPD and Asthma Fatigue Scale (CAFS), and Dyspnea-12 Scale. Dyspnea-12 Scale and CAFS total scores of the patients in the intervention group showed a statistically significant difference before and after the Progressive Relaxation Exercise and Deep Breathing Exercise applications (P < .05). Although the Dyspnea-12 Scale and CAFS total mean scores showed an increase in the intervention group, they remained the same in the control group. In the present study, it was found that the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise and Deep Breathing Exercise applied to COPD patients were effective in decreasing their dyspnea and fatigue symptoms.

Caregiver-Delivered Foot Reflexology: Effects on Patients and Caregivers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caregiver-delivered foot reflexology on patients with cancer and their caregivers. A 2-group pre- and posttest design was used in this study, and the study was conducted in an oncology hospital between January 2016 and February 2018. The study included 60 patients and 60 caregivers. Caregivers performed interventions once a day for 15 days. Patients in the experimental group received reflexology, and patients in the control group were included in the reading session. Mean pain, anxiety, and fatigue levels significantly decreased for the patients who received foot reflexology from their caregivers for 15 days compared with patients in the control group. The mean care burden score of the caregivers in both groups decreased. Clinicians should teach caregiving practices such as foot reflexology and know that these practices are a positive influence on both patients and caregivers.

The Effect of Aromatherapy on Fatigue and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the application of lavender oil on fatigue and anxiety levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. This randomized controlled study was conducted with 60 patients (30 patients in intervention group, 30 patients in control group) in a province located in southeastern Turkey. After the patients in both groups were informed about the study, a questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied to the patients. In the intervention group, a statistically significant difference was found between pretest and posttest scores of the Fatigue Severity Scale (t = 7.177, P = .001) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (t = 10.371, P = .001). Mean scores of fatigue and anxiety decreased significantly following aromatherapy and also fatigue and anxiety levels declined. Lavender aromatherapy can be applied as an effective nursing intervention to reduce fatigue and anxiety of patients with chronic renal failure and undergoing hemodialysis treatment.