Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training in post-traumatic stress disorder after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake: a randomized controlled trial.
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Tatvan State Hospital, Bitlis, Turkey.
- 2Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bitlis Eren University, Bitlis, Turkey. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
The February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake was one of Turkey's most devastating natural disasters, causing serious psychological issues, especially Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although various treatments exist for PTSD, they can be costly and sometimes ineffective. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training (PMRT) is a low‑cost, self‑administered technique with no side effects, but randomized controlled trials on its effectiveness for post‑earthquake PTSD remain very limited. This randomized trial examined whether PMRT effectively treats PTSD in individuals after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.Methods
The study included 44 earthquake-affected individuals aged 18-65 who met at least one of the following criteria: formal DSM-5 PTSD diagnosis by a psychiatrist, or a PCL-5 score of 47 or higher (indicating clinically significant PTSD symptoms). Based on power analysis, 22 participants were assigned to each group via block randomization: PMRT and control. All received PTSD and healthy lifestyle information; those on ongoing treatment continued. The PMRT group additionally received 6 weeks (twice/week, 20-30 min/session) of telerehabilitation-based PMRT. Assessments (PCL-5, DASS-21, PSQI, FSS, SF-36) were conducted pre- and post-intervention. Time-group interactions were analyzed with two-way mixed ANOVA (p < 0.05).Results
In the PMRT group, PTSD symptom severity significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001; η²p = 0.735). Significant improvements were also observed in depression (η²p = 0.435), anxiety (η²p = 0.521), stress (η²p = 0.504), sleep quality (η²p = 0.632), fatigue (η²p = 0.477), and both physical (η²p = 0.727) and mental (η²p = 0.630) components of quality of life compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in these parameters, while sleep quality and physical health deteriorated in the control group.Conclusion
PMRT was associated with greater improvements in PTSD symptoms, psychological well-being, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life compared to an education-only control group. Telerehabilitation may offer a practical advantage when face-to-face care is limited, although this remains speculative.Clinical trial registration number
NCT07164261-02.09.2025.
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BibTeX
@article{karadaslı2026efficacy,
title = {{Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training in post-traumatic stress disorder after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake: a randomized controlled trial.}},
author = {Tuğba Karadaşlı and Mesut Arslan},
journal = {BMC psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1186/s12888-026-08676-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907791},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training in post-traumatic stress disorder after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake: a randomized controlled trial.
AU - Tuğba Karadaşlı
AU - Mesut Arslan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - BMC psychiatry
DO - 10.1186/s12888-026-08676-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907791
AB - Background The February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake was one of Turkey's most devastating natural disasters, causing serious psychological issues, especially Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although various treatments exist for PTSD, they can be costly and sometimes ineffective. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training (PMRT) is a low‑cost, self‑administered technique with no side effects, but randomized controlled trials on its effectiveness for post‑earthquake PTSD remain very limited. This randomized trial examined whether PMRT effectively treats PTSD in individuals after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.Methods The study included 44 earthquake-affected individuals aged 18-65 who met at least one of the following criteria: formal DSM-5 PTSD diagnosis by a psychiatrist, or a PCL-5 score of 47 or higher (indicating clinically significant PTSD symptoms). Based on power analysis, 22 participants were assigned to each group via block randomization: PMRT and control. All received PTSD and healthy lifestyle information; those on ongoing treatment continued. The PMRT group additionally received 6 weeks (twice/week, 20-30 min/session) of telerehabilitation-based PMRT. Assessments (PCL-5, DASS-21, PSQI, FSS, SF-36) were conducted pre- and post-intervention. Time-group interactions were analyzed with two-way mixed ANOVA (p < 0.05).Results In the PMRT group, PTSD symptom severity significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001; η²p = 0.735). Significant improvements were also observed in depression (η²p = 0.435), anxiety (η²p = 0.521), stress (η²p = 0.504), sleep quality (η²p = 0.632), fatigue (η²p = 0.477), and both physical (η²p = 0.727) and mental (η²p = 0.630) components of quality of life compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in these parameters, while sleep quality and physical health deteriorated in the control group.Conclusion PMRT was associated with greater improvements in PTSD symptoms, psychological well-being, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life compared to an education-only control group. Telerehabilitation may offer a practical advantage when face-to-face care is limited, although this remains speculative.Clinical trial registration number NCT07164261-02.09.2025.
SN - 1471-244X
ER -