The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Pain Control in Postpartum Women Having A Cesarean Section

Aim: the objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of progressive relaxation exercises on post-cesarean pain control. method:the population of this quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest control group consisted of all postpartum women who had a cesarean section at çukurova university medical faculty balcalı hospital obstetrics clinic and private adana metro hospital between october 2013 and january 2014. 72 postpartum women (36 experimental, 36 control group) who met the inclusion criteria constituted the study sample. the data were collected by using the personal information form and burford pain thermometer, and progressive relaxation exercises were applied to postpartum women in the experimental group. results: while there was no significant difference in the pain levels of postpartum women in the experimental and control groups before the progressive relaxation exercises, there were a significant difference between the experimental and control groups after the exercises and a decrease in the pain levels of postpartum women in the experimental group. conclusions:as a result of the study, it was determined that progressive relaxation exercises had an important effect on pain control in postpartum women who had a cesarean section. accordingly, it is suggested to teach and apply relaxation techniques to postpartum women for ensuring pain control in the postoperative period.