Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Sleep, Anxiety, and Body Image in Burn Patients

The Importance of Sleep Quality, Anxiety Levels, and Body Image in Burn Patients Sleep quality, anxiety levels, and body image play a significant role in the recovery process and overall quality of life for burn patients. Good sleep supports the body's repair processes, while poor sleep can delay wound healing. Anxiety negatively impacts emotional well-being, disrupts patient engagement in treatment, and limits social interactions. Similarly, a negative body image undermines self-confidence and adversely affects social relationships. Therefore, managing these factors is critical for the physiological and psychological health of burn patients. Progressive muscle relaxation exercises may have a positive effect on sleep quality, anxiety levels, and body image in burn patients. Given the limited research on this topic, this study has been designed. Purpose of the Study The aim of this study is to examine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on sleep, anxiety, and body image in burn patients. Research Setting and Timeframe The research will be conducted at the Burn Unit of Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital. The burn unit staff includes 5 doctors, 8 nurses, 1 head nurse, 2 secretaries, and 2 auxiliary staff members. Written permissions will be obtained from Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital and the Bartın University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee. After obtaining the necessary approvals, doctors and nurses working in the burn unit will be verbally informed. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be informed and asked to sign an "Informed Voluntary Consent Form" (Appendix-6). For the experimental group, a progressive muscle relaxation exercise audio recording, created by the researcher with relaxing nature sounds in the background, will be played. During the first session, the researcher will stay with the patient to provide assistance. Patients in the experimental group will perform the progressive relaxation exercises twi