A comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation technique versus guided imagery on fatigue among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objectives: Leukemia is the most common form of cancer affecting children worldwide, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) representing the most prevalent subtype. Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported and distressing symptoms experienced by children undergoing cancer treatment. Despite its high prevalence, fatigue is often under-recognized and inadequately managed in clinical practice. Non-pharmacological interventions such as progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT) and guided imagery (GI) have emerged as promising approaches to manage cancer-related fatigue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PMRT and GI in reducing fatigue levels among children diagnosed with ALL. Material and Methods: A quantitative evaluative research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 28 children aged 10–18 years undergoing treatment for ALL. Participants were divided into two groups: the PMRT group and the GI group, with 14 participants in each group. Fatigue levels were assessed using the Childhood Fatigue Scale (CFS) before and after the intervention. Both interventions were administered for 30 minutes daily for six consecutive days. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Results: The results indicated that both PMRT and GI significantly reduced fatigue levels among children with ALL ( p < 0.001). However, the reduction appears greater in the GI group descriptively. Conclusion: Both PMRT and GI were effective in reducing fatigue among children with ALL. These techniques are simple, cost-effective, and noninvasive, making them suitable supportive care interventions that can be integrated into routine pediatric oncology nursing practice.