Effects of Breathing Exercises Applied to Intensive Care Nurses on Fatigue and Perceived Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and stress are common challenges for intensive care nurses. Reducing stress and fatigue among nurses is important for improving nurse and patient safety. Breathing exercises are a nonpharmacological approach that effectively reduces fatigue and stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of breathing exercises on fatigue and stress among intensive care nurses. Methods: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled trial between October and December 2024. The study included 66 nurses, 33 in the control group and 33 in the intervention group. Nurses in the intervention group performed breathing exercises lasting approximately 20 minutes for 30 days. No intervention was performed in the control group. Data were collected using the Piper Fatigue Scale and Perceived Stress Scale at the beginning of the study, on the 15th day, and on the 30th day. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was identified in the group effect, time effect, and group-time interaction for the mean scores on the Piper Fatigue Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale (p<0.01). The fatigue and stress scores of nurses in the intervention group decreased on the 15th and 30th days. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that breathing exercises positively affect fatigue and stress among intensive care nurses. The breathing exercise protocol can be applied to intensive care nurses, and these exercises can be taught to nurses through in-service training.