An interventional study of Progressive relaxation exercise in Depression, Anxiety and Stress, Psychological, sponsored by Ondokuz Mayıs University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-12.
Sponsored by Ondokuz Mayıs University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises (PMRE) on depression, anxiety, stress, future-oriented attitudes, and biopsychosocial responses in nursing students. The study was conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 with students enrolled in the Nursing Department. Data collection took place between January and March 2025. When selecting participants, a list of participants meeting the inclusion criteria was created using snowball sampling. A total of 104 students were randomly divided into experimental and control groups of 52 students each. Data were collected using the DASS-21, Future Orientation Scale, and Biopsychosocial Response Scale for Nursing Students.
Nursing students often face academic stress, emotional demands and clinical responsibilities, which can lead to psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, stress and concerns about their future. These issues can affect both their well-being and professional competence. Progressive muscle relaxation exercises (PMRE) are recognised as a useful method for reducing muscle tension, managing stress, and improving emotional regulation.
This randomised controlled trial was conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 with students studying Nursing. The data collection phase was carried out between January and March 2025. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were identified using snowball sampling, and a list was created. A total of 104 nursing students on this list were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (receiving PMRE) or a control group, with 52 participants in each group. A pre-test-post-test design was used. Measurement tools included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Future Orientation Scale, and the Biopsychosocial Response Scale for Nursing Students.
This study was supported by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) under the 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Programme.
8,577 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,720 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 104 is above the median of 81 across 7,063 interventional studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →Ondokuz Mayıs University is the lead sponsor of 277 studies on the registry; 62 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
A structured progressive muscle relaxation program based on Jacobson's technique was implemented. The intervention lasted four weeks, with participants practicing three times per week in 45-minute sessions. The exercises were initially demonstrated in person by the researcher to ensure correct technique. Subsequently, participants followed pre-recorded audio instructions during each session to maintain consistency. The intervention aimed to reduce psychological symptoms and support biopsychosocial well-being in nursing students.
Other: Progressive relaxation exercise
Participants in this group did not receive any behavioral or psychological intervention during the study period. They continued their normal academic activities without any additional support or guidance. No relaxation techniques or recordings were provided to this group. Data were collected at the same time points as the experimental group to ensure consistency in measurement.
The intervention was based on Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) technique. Participants in the experimental group practiced PMR three times per week for four weeks. Each session lasted approximately 45 minutes and was conducted in a quiet environment. In the first session, the researcher provided face-to-face instruction. Subsequent sessions were guided by standardized audio recordings, and the participants were followed through scheduled online video calls. The intervention aimed to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and to promote biopsychosocial well-being in nursing students.
Also known as: progressive muscle relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation exercises, Progressive Relaxation Technique, Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Progressive Relaxation Training, Jacobson's progressive relaxation technique
Change in depression, anxiety, and stress levels measured by DASS-21
The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21) will be used to assess changes in psychological symptoms. It consists of three subscales measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. The scale will be administered at baseline (pre-test) and after the 4-week intervention (post-test).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in future orientation levels measured by the Future Orientation Scale
The Future Orientation Scale will be used to evaluate students' attitudes toward the future, including goal-setting, planning, and optimism. The scale will be administered before and after the intervention to detect changes.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in biopsychosocial response levels measured by the Biopsychosocial Response Scale for Nursing Students
This scale measures students' emotional, physical, and social stress-related symptoms. It will be administered at baseline and after the intervention to assess changes in biopsychosocial well-being.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical restrictions and the scope of the study. The research was conducted as part of a TÜBİTAK 2209-A student project and approved only for academic use. No explicit consent or ethical approval was obtained for external data sharing.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Jan 2025 to primary completion in Mar 2025, 2 months.
Of 3,468 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Depression, half reached primary completion within 21 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 41. This study's 2 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 3,566 studies reached it within 21 months; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 41.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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