Background
The changes that occur during the ageing process affect the mental health of individuals and their adaptation to old age. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on the depression level of elderly women and their adaptation to old age.
Methods
A randomised controlled trial design was used. The sample consisted of 49 elderly women (21 intervention and 28 controls) from a family health centre of a city in Turkey. The research data were collected using the introductory information form, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Barthel index, Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale, and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly. Two home visits were made to women in the first and eighth week of the application. PMR was applied by women in the intervention group in 28 min sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks the women were called by the researcher once a week and PMR was reminded.
Results
As a result of the PMR exercises performed for 8 weeks, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly scores of the women in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
In this study, it was found that PMR exercises reduce the depression level of elderly women and increase their adaptation to old age.