Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstatrics

Background: Depression in adolescents is recognized as a serious psychiatric illness with extensive acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. Purpose of this study: To investigate the effect of different relaxation techniques on depression in adolescent girls. Subjects and methods: This study was carried upon 40 adolescent girls suffering from mild to moderate depression. Their age ranged from 15 to 20 years old and their BMI didn{u2019}t exceed 30 kg/m2. They were selected from Damietta middle and high schools. The participants were randomly distributed in two groups equal in number. Group (A) consisted of 20 girls who practiced progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises for three months three sessions / week, 30 minutes /session. Group (B) consisted of 20 girls who practiced yoga and deep breathing exercises for three month three sessions / week, 30 minutes /session. All girls in both groups (A and B) were assessed pre- and post-treatment by using, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). Results: The results revealed that pre-treatment, there was a non- statistically significant difference between two groups in mean value of DASS-21 (total score) with p-value was (P=0.116). There was statistically significant reduction in both groups in mean value of DASS-21 (total score) post-treatment compared to pre-treatment with p-value was (p=0.00001). There was a non- statistically significant difference between two groups in mean value of DASS-21 (total score) post-treatment with p-value was (p=0.692).Conclusion: Different relaxation techniques as progressive muscle relaxation technique and yoga could be used as an effective treatment on depression in adolescent girls as both of them are safe and non-pharmacological therapeutic technique

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