Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=12) or posture and relaxation training group (n=12). Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, dyspnea, quality of life, and pain were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Euro Quality of Life-5D, and visual analog scale, respectively. The control group received a standard postoperative rehabilitation program, while the training group underwent an additional posture and relaxation training program. Both groups continued their rehabilitation program for one week at the hospital and one week at home.

Results: After treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index sum scores, subjective sleep quality, sleep medication use, sleep disturbance, and visual analog scale pain scores between the groups (p<0.05). The posture and relaxation training group showed a significant improvement in the Modified Medical Research Council scores, but not in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index sum scores. After treatment, a significantly higher number of patients showed improvements in the quality of life in the posture and relaxation training group (p<0.05). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, subjective sleep, and sleep medication use subgroup scores showed significant improvements in the posture and relaxation training group after treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Posture and relaxation training has beneficial effects for maintaining sleep quality, reducing sleep medication use, alleviating dyspnea and pain, and increasing quality of life in cardiac surgery patients.