Dyspnea, Fatigue and Sleep Quality Post Cardiac Surgeries: Effect of Selected Relaxation Techniques

Abstract

Background: Cardiac surgery often leads to numerous postoperative complaints that can impact patient outcomes. Employing relaxation techniques can significantly alleviate many of this discomfort. Aim: evaluate the effect of selected relaxation techniques on dyspnea, fatigue and sleep quality among patients post cardiac surgeries. Design: A quasi-experimental research design (pre & post-test). Settings: The study was conducted in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. Follow-up occurred in the Cardiology Department and Outpatient Clinic of the Cardiothoracic Hospital, affiliated from Minia University Hospitals, Minia City, Egypt. Sample: The study included 90 patients. Tools: the study included four tools, Health Assessment Sheet, The Modified Medical Research Council Scale, Fatigue Assessment Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: regarding age 44.4% were between 40 – 49 years, & 33.3 % were more than 60 years. About 61.1% of them were males. The mean ± SD of dyspnea was 3.06 ± 0.699 at the pre intervention which decreased to 0.855 ± 0.552 at the follow up. Fatigue mean ± S.D was 17.5 ± 6.29 and decreased to 11.7 ± 2.39 after 8 weeks. The overall sleep quality was 10.1±1.84 at pre intervention and 4.70 ± 0.869 at the follow up. Conclusion: Patients who underwent cardiac surgeries and were exposed to relaxation techniques exhibited significant improvements in dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep quality levels. Recommendations: relaxation techniques should be incorporated into the routine management plans for patients following major surgeries.