Effect of Virtual Reality and Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Occupational Fatigue in Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Fatigue is a prevalent occupational problem among intensive care nurses. Relaxation approaches such as virtual reality (VR) and Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation (JPMR) are promising strategies to reduce work-related fatigue. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of VR, JPMR, and their combined application on occupational fatigue among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The study was a four-arm factorial randomized controlled trial conducted across nine intensive care units and involving 132 nurses in Baghdad. Twelve weeks after the initiation of the intervention, those who received the active intervention showed a significant reduction in fatigue compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The conclusion of the study is that both VR and JPMR, separately and together, effectively reduced occupational fatigue among ICU nurses.