MATERIAL AND METHODS
shoulder girdle, major depression, psychiatric, muscle relaxation;A depression, depression, Depression, substance abuse
MUSCLE RELAXATION
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an experimental intervention on patients with major depression. The research was conducted on 60 patients with major depression admitted to Moradi Hospital in Rafsanjan. The sample size was calculated using the statistical formula:The minimum sample size required for the study was 26 participants, with an additional 30 participants in each group (intervention and control) to ensure a robust sample. The participants were all diagnosed with depression, admitted to the psychiatric ward of Moradi Hospital in Rafsanjan, and had a depression score of 21 or higher.The inclusion criteria for the study were:
Patients diagnosed with depression and admitted to the psychiatric ward;No history of musculoskeletal disorders;Ability to perform movement therapy and progressive muscle relaxation;A depression score of 21 or higher as per the standard measurement scales;No history of substance abuse or addiction.Participants were selected using available sampling and random cluster sampling with the minimization method and were placed in two control and intervention groups. The purpose of minimization was to eliminate and control confounders (such as sex). Then, the Beck Depression Inventory was administered to the participants and psychological interviews to measure the level of depression. The researcher visited the psychiatric ward every evening and implemented a movement and progressive muscle relaxation program for the intervention group. The program lasted for 45 to 60 minutes and was performed by the participants.The movement therapy program began with warm-up exercises, including walking and stretching for 5 to 10 minutes. Three stretching exercises were performed to warm up the muscles of the arms, legs, lower back, shoulder girdle, and neck. Then, the exercise, including 10 movements, gradually started from the hands to the legs. Each movement was repeated several times, and after performing every 2 or 3 movements, several deep breaths were taken in the standing position. At the end of the movements, stretching movements were performed for 5 to 10 minutes to cool the muscles again. Finally, muscle relaxation was performed for 15 to 20 minutes. Patients in both intervention and control groups received routine treatments.The movement therapy and progressive muscle relaxation program were performed for 30 sessions. Upon the completion of the program, participants' level of depression was measured again using the Beck Depression Inventory and psychological interviews.The data collected were codified and analyzed with SPSS software version 22. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Fisher test, chi-square test, paired-samples t-test, independent samples t-test, as well as univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used for data analysis. The significance level was 0.05 (P<0.05).