Objective: Dyspnea is an important problem that adversely affects daily routines and functional status of lung cancer patients with a prevalence quite high in all stages of lung cancer. Breathing relaxation exercises are very important in lung cancer in reducing dyspnea and fatigue and increasing daily activities. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of breathing relaxation exercise training provided for the home care needs of lung cancer outpatients on the self-care and functional life of the patient receiving chemotherapy

Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled study was carried out with 60 lung cancer patients who received chemotherapy in an Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit. Data was collected with the questionnaire form, Self-Care Agency Scale and Functional Living Index Scale. The intervention group was given individual breathing relaxation training.

Results: In the intervention group, mean Self-Care Agency Scale was 82.60 ± 17.87 pre-test, 94.13 ± 16.47 post-test (p=0.001). Self-Care Agency Scale mean was measured as post-test 94.13 ± 16.47 in intervention group, while 77.00 ± 10.93 in control group (p=0.001). Post-test mean Functional Living Index Scale (FLIC) was 93.23 ± 11.71 in intervention group and 85.6 ± 15.76 in control group (p=0.038).

Conclusions: Respiratory relaxation exercise training given to patients has been shown to have positive effects on self-care ability and functional life of the patient. It was observed that total Functional Living Index Scale score and psychological function subscale score decreased in the control group. Nurses may perform breathing relaxation exercises as complementary and supportive methods on patients with lung cancer.