A Randomized Controlled Trial for the Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery as Anxiety Reducing Interventions in Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective. To test the effectiveness of guided imagery (GI) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as stress reducing interventions in patients with prostate and breast cancer who undergo chemotherapy. Methods. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or the intervention group (PMR and GI). Patients were observed for a total duration of 3 weeks and assessed with the SAS and BECK-II questionnaires for anxiety and depression, respectively, in addiotion to two biological markers (saliva cortisol and saliva amylase) (trial registration number: NCT01275872). Results. 256 patients were registered and 236 were randomly assigned. In total 104 were randomised to the control group and 104 to the intervention group. Intervention's mean anxiety score and depression score changes were significantly different compared to the control's (b = −29.4, p < 0.001; b = −29.4, p < 0.001, resp.). Intervention group's cortisol levels before the intervention (0.30 ± 0.25) gradually decreased up to week 3 (0.16 ± 0.18), whilst the control group's cortisol levels before the intervention (0.21 ± 0.22) gradually increased up to week 3 (0.44 ± 0.35). The same interaction appears for the Amylase levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The findings showed that patients with prostate and breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment can benefit from PMR and GI sessions to reduce their anxiety and depression.

Effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on stress, anxiety, and depression after hysterectomy

“…The present study result agrees with the results of Li et al (2015), [37] Charalambous et al (2015) [38] and El Malky (2015). [39] The first, had studied Progressive Muscle Relaxation Improves Anxiety and Depression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients.…”

Are psychological interventions effective on anxiety in cancer patients? A systematic review and meta‐analyses

“…Only 5 studies showed a large ES ranging between −0.80 and −1.43, while 7 studies reported medium ESs ranging between −0.53 and −0.75. Factors which characterised studies with moderate to large ES were recruiting patients with high level of anxiety symptoms, intervention method well‐matched to patients' needs, recruiting patients who were undergoing highly stressful cancer treatments, and specifically targeting anxiety treatments …”

“…Patients who self‐reported respiratory distress symptoms (breathlessness, cough, or fatigue) or psychological complaint (such as anxiety) were included in 2 studies . Another 2 studies considered provider‐reported anxiety and depression as well as psychological needs as reliable sources of sample inclusion criteria and delivered progressive muscle relaxation and CBT, respectively (n = 2, ES: −0.40) (Table ) . However, these 4 studies did not use a standard screening tool to determine anxiety symptoms.…”

“…Psychological interventions can reduce anxiety in patients with cancer and provide benefits for both psychological and physical health outcomes such as improved quality of life, health behaviour and emotional function, and decreased insomnia and cancer treatment side effects, eg, fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting. Evidence for their effectiveness was summarised in 1 early meta‐analysis by Sheard and Maguire which found that they had a moderate effect compared to standard care control (number of study, n = 19, sample size, N = 1023, ES: 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08 to 0.74).…”

A influência da escuta terapêutica sobre a ansiedade e os medos relacionados à cirurgia em pacientes no pré-operatório de cirurgia colorretal: um ensaio clínico aleatorizado

“…Pós Pré Pós Moda 2 0 0 0 Média (dp) 22,5 (18,9) 20,1 (19,6) 21,1 (19,8) , 2015) ou três semanas (CHARALAMBOUS et al, 2015), obtendo resultados positivos a respeito das intervenções não-farmacológicas testadas. Outro fator a ser levado em consideração é a dinâmica do serviço de atendimento dos pacientes, local do estudo.…”