The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Comfort, and Burnout Levels of Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nurses experience occupational and personal stress, which can reduce well-being and life satisfaction and contribute to burnout. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) on nurses’ life satisfaction, comfort, and burnout. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included nurses from a tertiary care hospital. The intervention consisted of PRE involving the sequential contraction and relaxation of major muscle groups. The intervention group performed PRE for 5 weeks, three times a week, with each session lasting 20 minutes, outside active working hours. Outcomes were assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Nurse Comfort Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, t-tests, and repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS 25.0. Results: After five weeks, the intervention group showed significantly higher life satisfaction (18.06±2.97 vs. 12.50±2.52, p < 0.001), total comfort (115.63±14.64 vs. 100.73±13.49, p < 0.001), and personal accomplishment (30.26±3.35 vs. 27.30±5.01, p = 0.009) scores than the control group. In contrast, emotional exhaustion (25.76±5.59 vs. 29.63±5.82, p = 0.011) and depersonalization (11.23±3.51 vs. 15.13±3.13, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the intervention group. Conclusions/Application to Practice: PRE reduced nurses’ burnout and enhanced their life satisfaction and comfort. It can be recommended as a simple and reliable complementary method to support nurses’ well-being. Occupational health professionals can integrate brief, structured PRE sessions into workplace wellness programs, enabling nurses to perform standardized exercises independently during breaks or outside working hours. This practical approach may support nurses’ psychological well-being without disrupting patient care or workflow.