The impact of muscle relaxation techniques on the quality of life of cancer patients, as measured by the FACT-G questionnaire

Abstract

IntroductionPatients with cancer frequently suffer from emotional distress, characterized by psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression. The presence of psychological symptoms combined with the complex nature of oncology processes can negatively impact patients’ quality of life. We aimed to determine the impact of a relaxation protocol on improving quality of life in a sample of oncological patients treated in the Spanish National Public Health System.Materials and methodsWe conducted a multicenter interventional study without a control group. In total, 272 patients with different oncologic pathologies and showing symptoms of anxiety were recruited from 10 Spanish public hospitals. The intervention comprised abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation training, according to Bernstein and Borkovec. This was followed by weekly telephone calls to each patient over a 1-month period. We collected sociodemographic variables related to the disease process, including information about mental health and the intervention. Patients’ quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire. Bivariate and univariate analyses were performed, along with an analysis of multiple correspondences to identify subgroups of patients with similar variations on the FACT-G.ResultsPatients showed statistically significant improvements on the FACT-G overall score (W = 16806; p<0.001), with an initial mean score of 55.33±10.42 and a final mean score of 64.49±7.70. We also found significant improvements for all subscales: emotional wellbeing (W = 13118; p<0.001), functional wellbeing (W = 16155.5; p<0.001), physical wellbeing (W = 8885.5; p<0.001), and social and family context (W = −1840; p = 0.037).ConclusionsPatients with cancer who learned and practiced abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation experienced improvement in their perceived quality of life as measured by the FACT-G. Our findings support a previous assumption that complementary techniques (including relaxation techniques) are effective in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Cancer Patients and Anxiety: A Gender Perspective

“…This data is logical if we consider the loss of quality of life when suffering pain that is more or less intense over a prolonged period of time. Several publications relate pain with anxiety as this involves an important loss of quality of life of patients with cancer [16][17][18]. On occasion, pharmacological treatments for pain and anxiety can be the same.…”

“…Some of our patients practiced relaxation techniques to control anxiety symptoms. Indeed, following this perspective, Parás-Bravo et al, reported quality of life improvements via an intervention for the reduction of anxiety in cancer patients [16].…”

Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (pcALCL) in the Elderly and the Importance of Sport Activity Training

“…Most failures due to discontinuation of chemotherapy or reduction of the standard dosage are generally caused by clinical complications in patients undergoing treatment or by reduced performance status. Improved QoL and cardiovascular status predispose the patient to fully cope with the necessary chemotherapy protocol and, consequently, the likelihood of a successful outcome is increased [43][44][45][46][47][48]. There is no clear evidence of a direct relationship between physical activity and remission in pcALCL, but it is certainly an excellent support for specific treatments of this oncological pathology and all other indolent neoplasms in elderly patients [43][44][45][46][47][48].…”

Improving biobehavioral outcomes with progressive muscle relaxation in patients with advanced lung cancer.

“…PMR is an efficacious treatment for a range of populations and symptoms (Campos de Carvalho, Martins, & dos Santos, 2007;Carey & Burish, 1987;Isa, Moy, Razack, Zainuddin, & Zainal, 2013;Kim et al, 2016;Molassiotis, 2000;Parás-Bravo et al, 2017). Reviews of the efficacy of PMR for healthy older adults (Klainin-Yobas, Oo, Yew, & Lau, 2015) and individuals with severe psychological disorders (Vancampfort et al, 2013) have concluded that PMR can significantly reduce state and trait anxiety, depression, and psychological distress.…”