The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Abdominal Pain and Distension in Colonoscopy Patients

Purpose:This study was conducted to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on abdominal pain and distension in colonoscopy patients. Design:A randomized controlled experimental design. Methods:The experimental group was informed about progressive muscle relaxation(PMR) and anaudio recording was provided. After the colonoscopy,abdominal pain(VisualAnalogueScale(VAS)pain) and distension (VAS distension) scores were assessed, then PMR was applied for 30 minutes and pain scores were determined again.VAS pain and VAS distension scores of the control group were determined after colonoscopy and 30 minutes later.VAS abdominal pain and VAS distension scores were evaluated at the 2nd,4th, 8th,12th,16th,and 24th hour after the procedure on all patients.The day after thec olonoscopy, post-test data were collected. Findings:The pretest VAS pain and VAS distension mean scores were similar in thei ntervention and control groups(P>.05). The mean VAS pain and VAS distension scores decreased significantly in thei ntervention group post procedure(P<.05). Conclusions:PMR was determined to be effective in reducing abdominal pain and distension after colonoscopy