THE APPLICATION OF PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION THERAPY ON SLEEP QUALITY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IN DAHLIA WARD, ARFIN ACHMAD HOSPITAL, RIAU PROVINCE

Abstract

Breast cancer (Carcinoma Mammae) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in women globally. A major complication is the significant decline in sleep quality due to multifactorial issues including pain, treatment side effects, anxiety, and depression. Poor sleep hinders cellular regeneration crucial for recovery. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) therapy, a non-pharmacological self-management technique, is recommended to counter these effects by stimulating the parasympathetic system and reducing muscular tension. This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effect of PMR therapy on the sleep quality of post-operative breast cancer patients. A descriptive case study design was conducted over three consecutive days in the Dahlia Ward of RSUD Arifin Achmad, Riau, involving two female post-operative breast cancer patients (49 and 55 years old) experiencing poor sleep. PMR therapy was administered twice daily (morning and evening) for 20–30 minutes per session, involving systematic tensing and relaxing of muscle groups combined with deep breathing. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) both pre-intervention and post-intervention. Pre-intervention, Case A and Case B reported poor sleep quantity (4 hours/night and 3 hours/night, respectively) and frequent awakenings. After three days of PMR, both respondents showed a clear sequential increase in sleep duration and improved subjective quality. By Day 3, Case A achieved 6 hours/night and Case B achieved 5 hours/night, and both reported no complaints of difficulty sleeping/waking and felt "more relaxed." The physiological mechanism is attributed to the suppression of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) and enhanced parasympathetic activity. The application of PMR therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving the sleep quality of breast cancer patients. The intervention significantly increased sleep quantity and subjective quality, demonstrating its utility in managing sleep disturbances caused by complex physical and psychological factors in a clinical setting.