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Progressive relaxation exercises reduce postoperative pain and improve sleep quality in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery

In a randomized controlled trial of 96 patients undergoing total knee replacement, progressive relaxation exercises led to significantly faster and greater reductions in postoperative pain (F=14.11, P=.000, η²=0.131) and significantly greater improvements in sleep quality (F=14.22, P<.001, η²=0.131) compared to control. Recovery index scores also improved more in the intervention group (F=6.531, P=.000, η²=0.065).

Last updated: Aug 6, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Postoperative Pain, Sleep Quality, and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement Surgery.

observational

Acar R, &#xc7;elik S · Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not specified in abstract
Intervention: Progressive relaxation exercises (specific protocol not detailed in abstract) applied postoperatively
Outcome: Postoperative pain intensity (NRS), sleep quality (RCSQ), recovery (PoRI), sleep duration via smart bracelet
Effect Size: η²=0.131 for pain and sleep quality; η²=0.065 for recovery
Population: Patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery in a public hospital (n=96)

Result:

PubMed: 42541506DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2026.07.003

Mechanism Graph

Progressive relaxation exercises reduce muscle tension and stress response
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Reduced stress and tension lower pain perception
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Lower pain and relaxation promote better sleep quality
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Improved sleep and pain control enhance postoperative recovery

Limitations

  • ⚠Single-center study may limit generalizability
  • ⚠Abstract does not describe the specific relaxation protocol or duration, making replication difficult
  • ⚠No blinding of participants (single-blind design) may introduce bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What are progressive relaxation exercises?▼

Progressive relaxation exercises involve systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to reduce physical and mental tension, often used to manage pain and improve sleep.

How long after surgery should progressive relaxation be started?▼

The abstract does not specify the timing, but the intervention was applied postoperatively; consult the full paper for details.

Can progressive relaxation replace pain medication after knee replacement?▼

No, this study suggests it as an adjunct to standard care, not a replacement for medication. Always follow your surgeon's advice.

What sleep quality measure was used in this study?▼

The Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was used, along with a sleep-tracking smart bracelet to measure sleep duration.

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References

  1. 1.Acar R, &#xc7;elik S. "The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Postoperative Pain, Sleep Quality, and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement Surgery.." Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, 2026. PMID: 42541506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2026.07.003
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.