Investigation of The Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique in Sedentary Obese Women

Effects of Music-Assisted Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, Emotional Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Sedentary Obese Women

Obesity is a major public health problem that reduces quality of life and increases the risk of many chronic diseases. Its global prevalence continues to rise, and it is estimated that approximately 18 percent of men and 21 percent of women will be affected by the year 2025. The development and progression of obesity are influenced by individual characteristics such as age, lifestyle, and gender. Women experience hormonally driven changes in body fat across different life stages, including puberty, reproductive years, and the postpartum period, which place them at higher metabolic risk.

Progressive muscle relaxation, particularly when combined with music, has been shown to reduce sleep problems, emotional disturbances, fatigue, and limitations in quality of life across different clinical populations. However, the effectiveness of music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation in sedentary obese women has not been clearly demonstrated.

This study investigates whether a six-week, home-based music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation program can improve sleep quality, emotional well-being, fatigue, and health-related quality of life in sedentary obese women. The intervention can be performed independently in the participants' own living environment, which supports sustainability and enhances self-management. Demonstrating the effectiveness of this method may offer healthcare professionals a low-cost, accessible, non-pharmacological treatment option to improve both physical and emotional well-being in this high-risk population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female participants aged 18-50 years
• Classified as sedentary according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)
• Obese, defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²
• Ability to understand written and spoken Turkish
• Ability to comprehend study instructions
• Active use of WhatsApp or Telegram to receive intervention materials

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment affecting communication
• Pregnancy, postpartum period, or lactation
• Use of weight-loss medications or sedative-hypnotic drugs
• Not having a regular menstruation cycle
• Hearing impairment

Criteria for Withdrawal:

• Voluntary withdrawal from the study
• Development of a condition preventing continuation of participation
• Failure to attend sessions regularly (missing more than two sessions per week)
• Incomplete final assessments