The effect of progressive muscle relaxation method on vital signs in myocardial infraction patients

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction is a common life-threatening event. Meanwhile, anxiety is considered as the most common problems for myocardial infarction patients and their families. Materials & Methods: The present semi-quasi experimental study was performed to examine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique on the vital signs of myocardial infarction patients. Seventy-six patients with myocardial infarction are divided into two groups of test and control with randomized allocation method. The intervention was the progressive muscle relaxation technique, which was carried out twice a day for three days for the patients of test group. In the any stage of progressive muscle relaxation technique, the instruments used for data collection was demographic information questionnaire and vital signs chart. Results: The use of progressive muscle relaxation significantly decreased the respiratory rate (P=0.03) in the experimental group compared with the control group, but had no significant effect on the other vital signs (pulse rate, systolic and diastolic BP). Conclusion: Although, progressive muscle relaxation technique decreases the respiratory rate in patients with myocardial infraction, there are slight changes in the other vital signs following PMR application