DepressionPRMNURSENCT07038109
Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Nursing Students: Effects on Psychological and Biopsychosocial Outcomes
A study testing Progressive relaxation exercise in people with Depression and Anxiety, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological
- What is being tested?
- Progressive relaxation exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 104 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2025to 1 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being registered in the Department of Nursing
- Voluntary consent to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Having joint or muscle pain, or any condition that may interfere with performing relaxation exercises
- Having a diagnosis of cancer or any chronic disease
- Having a psychiatric disorder that may interfere with obtaining valid results from the study (e.g., major depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorders, serious psychiatric conditions)
- Currently receiving antidepressant, anxiolytic, or similar psychiatric treatment
- Regular use of non-pharmacological methods such as yoga, psychotherapy, or similar practices
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Future Attitudes, and Biopsychosocial Responses in Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological, Mental Health, Students, Nursing, Adaptation, Psychological
- Being tested
- Progressive relaxation exercise
- Keywords
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Psychological Intervention, Nursing Students, Mental Health Promotion, Stress Management, Depression, Anxiety, Psychological Stress, Biopsychosocial Response, Future Orientation, University Students, Randomized Controlled Trial, Relaxation Techniques, progressive relaxation exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Stress, Psychological, Psychological Well-Being, Psychophysiologic Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Progressive relaxation exerciseOther
Also called progressive muscle relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation exercises, Progressive Relaxation Technique, Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Participants in this group received progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: Progressive relaxation exercise |
| Control group | No intervention | 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Secondary outcomes (2)
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Jan 2025
- Primary completion1 Mar 2025
- Study completion1 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study used a two-arm, parallel assignment design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which received progressive muscle relaxation exercises, or the control group, which received no intervention. A pretest-posttest design was used to assess outcomes.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 104 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ahsen Taştan Gürkan, Ondokuz Mayıs University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07038109
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HEM-PGE-RCT-2024-TUBITAK2209-A
- Other IDs
- 1919B012327345
- Acronym
- PRMNURSE
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- 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.