Holland, J.C., Morrow, G., Schmale, A., Derogatis, L., Stefanek, M., Berenson, S., . . . Feldstein, M. (1991). A randomized clinical trial of alprazolam versus progressive muscle relaxation in cancer patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 9, 1004–1011.

The 10-day study had two arms: alprazolam 0.5 mg three times a day or progressive muscle relaxation three times a day.

• The study reported on a sample of 147 patients.
• Sample age range was 18–70 years.
• Patients were receiving active cancer treatment at three centers.
• Patients had Karnofsky scores greater than 60.

A randomized controlled trial (nonblinded) design was used.

• Covi Anxiety Scale
• Raskin Depression Scale
• Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS)
• Symptom Checklist–90 (SCL-90)
• Patient’s Global Impression Scale
• Physiologic measures: Pulse and blood pressure

There was significant decrease in anxiety (HARS, ABS, SCL-90 subscale) and depression (SCL-90 subscale) in both treatment arms (p < 0.001). There was minimal change in pulse and blood pressure.

• The study yielded equivocal findings regarding alprazolam and progressive relaxation. 
• The study had no long-term follow-up, only a 10-day period.
• The sample was largely white (87%) and female (64%).
• Older study