Psychoeducation-Supported Breathing and Relaxation for Earthquake Survivors

NCT07781904 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OZAL-TN-RC-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluated whether a structured program combining psychoeducation, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques could reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and improve sleep quality among adult earthquake survivors living in temporary accommodation in Malatya, Türkiye. A total of 90 participants were randomly assigned in equal numbers to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group attended six face-to-face group sessions delivered twice weekly over three weeks. The program included education about trauma and stress, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, coping strategies, sleep hygiene, cognitive restructuring, positive imagery, and guidance for continued practice. The control group received no structured intervention and continued its usual daily routine. Post-traumatic stress symptoms and sleep quality were assessed before and after the intervention using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Short Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The study compared changes in these outcomes between the intervention and control groups.

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms; Poor Sleep Quality

Keywords

Earthquake Survivors; Psychoeducation; Breathing Exercises; Relaxation Techniques; Diaphragmatic Breathing; Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms; Sleep Quality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Assessed by the PTSD-SS

  Post-traumatic stress symptoms were assessed using the 9-item Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Short Scale (PTSD-SS). Each item is scored from 0 to 4, producing a total score ranging from 0 to 36. Higher scores indicate more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms. Change from baseline to the post-intervention assessment was evaluated.

  Baseline and immediately after the 3-week intervention

• Change in Sleep Quality Assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

  Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI consists of seven component scores and produces a total score ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality, and scores above 5 indicate poor sleep quality. Change from baseline to the post-intervention assessment was evaluated.

  Baseline and immediately after the 3-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Psychoeducation-Supported Breathing and Relaxation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received six face-to-face group sessions over three weeks, with two sessions per week. The program included psychoeducation about trauma and stress, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, coping strategies, sleep hygiene, cognitive restructuring, positive imagery, and guidance for continued practice.

Behavioral: Psychoeducation-Supported Breathing and Relaxation Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received no structured training or study intervention and continued their usual daily routines in the temporary accommodation center during the study period.

Interventions

Psychoeducation-Supported Breathing and Relaxation Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants attended six face-to-face group sessions delivered twice weekly over three weeks. Each session lasted approximately 60-75 minutes. The program included psychoeducation about trauma and stress responses, diaphragmatic breathing with approximately 4 seconds of inhalation and 6-8 seconds of exhalation, progressive muscle relaxation, adaptive coping strategies, sleep hygiene, cognitive restructuring, positive imagery, and relapse-prevention guidance. Participants were encouraged to practice diaphragmatic breathing for at least 10 minutes daily and to use the relaxation techniques before sleep. Make-up sessions were offered when necessary.

Psychoeducation-Supported Breathing and Relaxation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Experienced the February 6, 2023 earthquakes
• Aged 18 to 65 years
• Able to read and understand Turkish
• Provided written informed consent to participate

You may not qualify if:

• Incomplete or invalid questionnaires
• Inability to attend the intervention sessions regularly
• Self-reported history of a severe psychiatric diagnosis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rana Ceviz: lead

Study Sites (1)

Malatya Teknokent Temporary Accommodation Center

Malatya, 44330, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Interventions

Relaxation Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 19, 2026
• First Posted: August 24, 2026
• Study Start: October 11, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2026
• Study Completion: January 31, 2026
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: Beginning after publication of the study results and ending 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: De-identified data will be available to qualified researchers who submit a methodologically sound proposal. Requests will be reviewed by the study investigators and must be consistent with participant confidentiality, informed consent, and applicable ethical requirements. Approved data will be provided electronically for the purposes specified in the accepted proposal. Requests should be submitted to the corresponding author at rana.ceviz@ozal.edu.tr

Locations

TU (1)