The effect of progressive relaxation exercises on vital signs and fatigue in kidney transplant patients

Changes in vital signs and fatigue can be seen in kidney transplant patients, both due to chronic disease processes and many symptoms and problems brought about by the surgery. Different and effective nursing interventions are needed for the management of changes in vital signs and fatigue that can be seen in patients. This study was carried out with a single- blind randomized controlled experimental study design to examine the effects of progressive relaxation exercises applied to patients undergoing kidney transplantation on vital signs and fatigue. Fifty-two patients (experimental group=26, control group=26) who met the inclusion criteria, who had kidney transplant at a university hospital between September 2022 and June 2023, were included in the study. "Patient Description Form" was used to indicate the descriptive characteristics of the patients, the "Vital Signs Follow- up Form" to specify the characteristics of the vital signs, and the "Fatigue Severity Scale" to determine the fatigue levels. After the forms were applied to the patients in the experimental group (pre-follow up), progressive relaxation exercises were tuought and followed up (1st follow-up). The patients were allowed to do progressive relaxation exercises every day. The second follow-up in the second week after discharge and the third follow-up (last-follow up) at the end of the fourth week were performed in the outpatient clinic. The measurements of the patients in the control group were arranged at the same time as the experimental group. Mann Whitney-U test was used in comparison of two independent groups, Wilcoxon test was used in comparisons between two dependent groups and Friedman test was used in comparison of more than two dependent variables. In the study, there was a significant difference between the groups (p<0.05) between the values ​​of body temperature, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, which are vital signs; It was found that pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure decreased over time, while oxygen saturation increased in intervention group patients. It was determined that progressive relaxation exercises reduced the severity of fatigue in the experimental group patients. Based on these results, it was suggested that progressive relaxation 7 exercises are an effective nursing intervention in regulating vital signs and reducing the severity of fatigue in patients with kidney transplant. Keywords: Kidney Transplantation, Progressive Relaxation Exercises, Vital Signs, Fatigue, Nursing