The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on sleep quality and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation on sleep quality and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted with 72 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who applied to the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital between January and May 2018. The data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Fatigue Severity Scale. After the patients in the intervention group completed the forms, patients were given training with regard to the application of progressive muscle relaxation which they subsequently performed, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Fatigue Severity Scale forms were repeated after 6 weeks. RESULTS: After performing progressive muscle relaxation for 6 weeks, the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the fatigue score decreased among patients in the intervention group; no change was observed among the patients in the control group. A statistical difference was found between the two groups in terms of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index's and Fatigue Severity Scale's mean scores. CONCLUSION: Progressive muscle relaxation can be recommended to enhanced sleep quality and reduce fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.