Progressive Muscle Relaxation as an Alternative Therapy for Death Anxiety and Sleep Quality in End‐Stage Cancer Patients: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a complementary therapy to reduce tension. The present research was conducted to assess the effect of the Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on death anxiety and sleep quality of cancer patients. Methods This was an experimental study with pre‐test and post‐test design. 60 cancer patients were selected randomly and randomly assigned experiment or control group. Death anxiety and sleep quality of samples were assessed by Templar's Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PMR was trained to patients in eight sessions during 1 month. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi‐squared, Fisher's exact test, independent sample t ‐test, and analysis of covariance). Results A significant decrease in death anxiety and sleep quality scores in the intervention group ( p < 0.001). The only sleep quality dimension that didn't change meaningfully in the intervention group was the use of sleep medications. Conclusions PMR is a method that can be used to reduce death anxiety and improve sleep quality in cancer patients.