The effect of relaxation exercises on sleep quality in pregnant women in the third trimester: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of relaxation exercises on subjective sleep quality of in third-trimester pregnant women.

Materials and methods: The pretest posttest randomized controlled trial recruited 84 pregnant women in the third trimester. Following random assignment of subjects, the treatment group (n = 46) performed relaxation exercises for four weeks and the control group (n = 46) received standart cares. At baseline and after the intervention sleep quality was assessed. Data obtained were analyzed in SPSS.

Results: The mean score of the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was 7.12 +/- 3.66. It was determined that relaxation exercises improved some sleep quality subscales including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration and habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction and global sleep quality. The difference between the two groups was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A four -week compact disc guide relaxation exercises program can be effective in improving sleep quality.