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Rehabilitation Model for Post-Disaster Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome: Relaxation-Based Supervised Exercise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2025

Sabiha Sancaktar Open the ORCID record for Sabiha Sancaktar [Opens in a new window]  and
Gizem Ergezen Sahin Open the ORCID record for Gizem Ergezen Sahin [Opens in a new window]
Sabiha Sancaktar*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/037jwzz50 Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Türkiye Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, https://ror.org/00qsyw664 Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Gizem Ergezen Sahin*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Türkiye
*
Corresponding authors: Sabiha Irem Sancaktar and Gizem Ergezen Sahin; Emails: sancaktarsabihairem@gmail.com; gergezen@medipol.edu.tr
Corresponding authors: Sabiha Irem Sancaktar and Gizem Ergezen Sahin; Emails: sancaktarsabihairem@gmail.com; gergezen@medipol.edu.tr
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of relaxation-based exercises on individuals experiencing post-earthquake stress-related symptoms in an earthquake-prone region.

Methods

This randomized, waitlist-controlled, parallel group study included 46 participants with moderate post-traumatic stress levels (Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, PDS) and anxiety for over 1 month (Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI score > 8). Participants were randomly assigned to a relaxation-based exercise group (REG, n = 24) or a waitlist control group (CG, n = 25). The REG received relaxation-based structured, supervised exercises for 4 weeks, while the CG awaited treatment. Assessments included the PDS, BAI, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and SF-12 Quality of Life Scale at baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention.

Results

Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in anxiety (P = 0.001), depression (P = 0.001), perceived stress (P = 0.001), and sleep quality (P = 0.001) for the REG. The CG showed decreased depression symptoms (P = 0.011) and improved sleep quality (P = 0.012). There were no significant group differences in quality-of-life outcomes (P > 0.05), though REG showed greater improvement in depression and perceived stress scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Relaxation-based exercises can improve sleep quality in individuals experiencing post-earthquake stress, and reduce depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. This approach can be used as a novel rehabilitation model in preventive mental health for the community.

Keywords

breathing exercisecommunity healthearthquakerelaxation exercisestress

Information

Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e132
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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