This study was conducted to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on sexual satisfaction and functioning of women and their partners in women with low sexual satisfaction.

Method: The single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted between April 2023 and January 2024. The sample of the study was women with low sexual satisfaction and their partners were randomized into two groups as intervention and control. Each group consisted of 120 couples, n=60. The women in the intervention group were given progressive muscle relaxation techniques three times a week for four weeks. The results of the study focused on the effect on sexual satisfaction and functioning of men and women.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on sexual satisfaction and functioning of women and their partners in women with low sexual satisfaction.

Hypotheses H1: Progressive muscle relaxation techniques increase sexual satisfaction in women with low sexual satisfaction.

H2: Progressive muscle relaxation techniques positively affect sexual function in women with low sexual satisfaction.

H3: Progressive muscle relaxation techniques increase sexual satisfaction of partners in women with low sexual satisfaction.

H4: Progressive muscle relaxation techniques positively affect sexual function of partners in women with low sexual satisfaction.

While the population of the study consisted of women aged 18-35 years, the minimum sample size was calculated using G Power. Accordingly, it was found that the number of women to be sampled should be 44 for each group, totaling 88 women. Considering that there would be losses, the sample was planned to be 60 couples for each group, totaling 120 couples. There were no losses during the study.

Sample Selection Criteria; Women who had an active sexual life, were of childbearing age (18-35 years), had the same partner for the last year, had not given birth before, and scored between 20-40 on the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale were included.

Sample Exclusion Criteria; Women and their partners who had chronic gynecological diseases, whose own and/or partner used psychiatric drugs, who were pregnant during the study, who had diagnoses that prevented sexuality such as vaginusmus, erectile dysfunction, etc., who scored below 11 on the Arizona Sexual Life Scale were not included in the study.

The study was announced on social media and online to identify women and men who met the sample selection criteria. Couples who scored between 20-40 on the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale for women and 11 or higher on the Arizona Sexual Life Scale for men and women were randomized into two groups. A data collection form was applied to the couples included in the sample.

Progressive muscle relaxation techniques were explained to the women from the couples assigned to the Intervention Group by a researcher. In addition to relaxation exercises, deep breathing movements were also explained to the women and progressive muscle relaxation exercises and breathing exercises were performed together. The importance of the exercises and how to do them were explained to the women by the researcher for about 30 minutes and then demonstrated practically for 30 minutes. Each progressive muscle relaxation exercise session lasted approximately 20-25 minutes. The women in the intervention group continued the exercises at home three times a week for four weeks. The women in the intervention group were telephoned once a week by the researcher to provide reminders and counseling about the study (Progressive muscle relaxation steps were given as an additional file).

The Control Group was followed up by continuing the daily routine. At the end of two and four weeks, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale and Arizona Sexual Life Scale were administered to all women and their partners.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women who had active sexual life, were of childbearing age (18-35 years), had the same partner for the last year, had not given birth before, and scored between 20-40 on the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women and their partners who had chronic gynecological diseases, who were using psychiatric medication for themselves and/or their partners, who were pregnant at the time of the study, who had diagnoses that hindered sexuality such as vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, etc., and who scored below 11 on the Arizona Sexual Life Scale were not included in the study.

Women and their partners with low sexual satisfaction

It is appropriate to present it after publication

The progressive relaxation intervention and follow-up was conducted by the researcher who was not blinded to the interventions (PSI). Randomization was performed by another academic who was not an investigator in the study. In order to avoid bias, the researcher who conducted the intervention did not participate in any step of the pre-test, post-test and statistical evaluation process. Group information was not shared with the statistician who performed the analysis.