This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of
progressive relaxation exercises on vital signs and
fatigue level. Ninety patients with
liver transplantation (experimental group = 45, control group = 45) were included in the study. The patients in the experimental group performed
progressive relaxation exercises for 25 to 30 minutes every day for 4 weeks. Before the
progressive relaxation exercises, the vital signs and
fatigue level of the patients were recorded. Vital signs were recorded again immediately after the
progressive relaxation exercises and at the end of the second week. At the end of the fourth week, the final measurement of vital signs was performed along with the second
fatigue level assessment. In the experimental group, pulse and respiratory rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, and
fatigue severity mean scores were found to be lower and oxygen saturation level was higher than those of the control group. The improvement in vital signs in the experimental group was evident at week 3 (p < .05).