Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Adaptation to Old Age

The aging process is considered as a result of the decline observed in basic cognitive functions such as attention, perception, memory, and causes problems in the communication of the elderly with the environment. For these problems, it affects the adaptation of the elderly in his environment and himself.

There are a limited number of studies in the literature to increase the adaptation of older individuals to old age. In the studies in the literature, it was stated that the rate of depression is higher in female individuals, and being male and having a high education level positively affect the adaptation of individuals to old age. In a national study, it was determined that as age increases, adaptation to old age decreases.

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), one of the nonpharmacological methods, involves the voluntary stretching and relaxation of large muscle groups (hand-starting, foot-end muscle groups) in the human body. It is known that PMR exercises are frequently used in nursing research because of the effects of reducing anxiety and fatigue and improving sleep quality, and reducing nausea-vomiting. However, no study was found on the effect of depression and adaptation to old age. Due to these positive effects of PMR determined in the literature, it is thought that elderly women can positively affect their levels of depression and adaptation to old age.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation on the depression and adaptation of elderly women to aging.

Methodology: This is randomized clinical test. The sample was made up of 49 elderly women who applying to the family health center (21 in the experimental group and 28 in control group). The progressive muscle relaxation was employed. In order to collect the data, we adopted the interview with form filling technique, using the introductory information form, Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly (ASADE) and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-S). Progressive muscle relaxation will be performed for a total of 8 weeks, 3 days a week, for 30 minutes.

Inclusion criteria

• 65 years and above,
• Do not have a diagnosis of dementia and psychiatric disease by the doctor and have a mini-mental test score of 23 and above,
• Being independent in practicing daily living activities
• There is no problem with communication

Exclusion criteria

• Under the age of 65
• Being addicted in daily life activities
• Being diagnosed with dementia and psychiatric illness
• Mini-mental test score below 23