Campos de Carvalho, E., Martins, F.T., & dos Santos C.B. (2007). A pilot study of a relaxation technique for management of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Cancer Nursing, 30(2), 163-167.

To determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)

Patients receiving chemotherapy underwent an intervention consisting of 25-minute sessions of PMR (tensing-releasing) and control of respiration in an environment characterized by little artificial illumination and adequate music, without interruptions. Before and after the interventions, specific physiologic and self-report variables were measured. A registered nurse, who was trained in measuring physiologic alterations and muscle reactions, collected the data. Patients were asked to consider the presence of nausea one hour before and one hour after the intervention.

The study consisted of 30 patients who were over 18 years of age, had been diagnosed with hematologic cancers, were receiving chemotherapy, were experiencing nausea and vomiting at the time of data collection, and were hospitalized. Participants were capable of maintaining a logical conversation and had not received antiemetics five hours before undergoing the relaxation intervention. Patients were excluded from the study if they had evolving multiple myeloma or suspected bone fractures.

The study was conducted at a large hospital in Brazil.

This was a pre-and post-test pilot study.

• Physiologic indicators of nausea (e.g., vital signs, perspiration, pupil dilatation, salivation, skin color) were recorded.
• Muscle reactions (e.g., forearm, leg, forehead, eye tension) were recorded.
• Huskisson’s visual analog scale (VAS) (adapted version) for nausea and vomiting intensity levels was used.

PMR was associated with decreased physiologic conditions and muscle reactions, as well as a statistically significant reduction in the intensity of nausea and vomiting levels.

PMR techniques may be an effective intervention to reduce nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy.

• No control group was included.
• The population was heterogeneous.
• The types of chemotherapeutic and antiemetic agents were not controlled.
• Patients were undergoing various chemotherapy cycles.
• RN training is required.

PMR is a low-cost technique that can be easily taught to patients for use as an intervention for the management of CINV.