The Effectiveness of Breathing Therapy in Patients With Schizophrenia

Overview

This study aimed to determine the effects of breathing therapies on sleep disturbances and fatigue in patients with schizophrenia.The study will be conducted at a CMHC in Ağrı province between May and August 2021. At the CMHC, community-based mental health services are provided to patients with severe mental disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) who are in remission as assessed by a psychiatrist. The study is planned to be conducted with patients who meet the study criteria, without using a sample selection method. Patients over the age of 18 registered with CMHC and followed with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were contacted by phone and invited to CMHC. The study was conducted with patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Data will be collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the DSM-5 Sleep Disorder Scale, and the Brief Fatigue Inventory. The experimental group received eight sessions of respiratory therapy.The control group received no intervention. The study sample size was calculated using the GPower computer program. A power analysis performed at α=0.05 revealed an effect size of 150.153 (d=0.8), providing 90% power. Therefore, it was calculated that a minimum of 68 patients should be included in the sample.

Study data were collected by the researcher through face-to-face interviews. The study included individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who met the inclusion criteria (registration in a CMHC, having a diagnosis of schizophrenia, willingness to participate in the study, and openness to communication and collaboration). Pre-test measurement instruments were administered to the participants. The experimental group received eight sessions of respiratory therapy. The control group received no intervention. Post-test data were collected following the training sessions.