Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique of alternately tensing and relaxing muscles groups in sequence throughout the body. When going through muscle groups, individuals can start with the head and neck and progress to the feet, or vice versa. Similarly, individuals may do one side of the body at a time or both sides at the same time. Listening to a prerecorded script may be used to guide individuals through the process. PMR has been examined for effectiveness in patients with cancer for anxiety, depression, dyspnea, sleep-wake disturbances, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. PMR often is combined with the technique of guided imagery.
Charalambous, A., Giannakopoulou, M., Bozas, E., & Paikousis, L. (2015). 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. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 270876.
To test the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and guided imagery as stress-reducing interventions
Patients randomized to usual care had weekly meetings with psychologists. Those randomized to PMR and guided imagery had four supervised sessions and daily self-practice for three weeks. To stimulate imagery, the guided imagery component included auditory, tactile, and olfactory images. The imagery script was accompanied by music. The intervention was tested and measured with biofeedback prior to study use. Both groups were assessed at baseline and at the end of three weeks. Daily text message reminders were sent to the intervention group to remind them to practice PMR.
The group had a decrease in mean anxiety score whereas the control group had an increase in anxiety at three weeks compared to baseline. The difference between groups of this change was significant (p < 0.001). The same pattern of change between groups was shown for depression (p < 0.001). Salivary amylase and cortisol levels were directly related to anxiety and depression scores (p < 0.001).
PMR and guided imagery were associated with reduced anxiety and depression among patients with breast and prostate cancer during chemotherapy.
Findings here showed that progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery were effective in reducing anxiety and depression during chemotherapy treatment. These are very low-risk interventions that can be helpful and can be readily incorporated into standard patient care.
Goerling, U., Jaeger, C., Walz, A., Stickel, A., Mangler, M., & van der Meer, E. (2014). The efficacy of short-term psycho-oncological interventions for women with gynaecological cancer: A randomized study. Oncology, 87, 114–124.
To study the effects of two different interventions on anxiety and depression postoperatively
The interventions that were studied included a single educational session and a single session of progressive muscle relaxation delivered between the third and sixth postoperative day to women who had surgery for gynecologic cancers. Women randomly were assigned to intervention groups. Study measures were obtained preoperatively prior to hospital discharge.
Randomized, noncontrolled trial
Anxiety scores declined significantly in both groups (p < .005), and depression declined significantly in those receiving the educational intervention (p < .001). There were no differences between groups in self-reported stress, and there were no significant changes in physiologic measures.
The findings of this study demonstrate that the interventions tested here may have some benefit; however, the strength of the results is low due to study limitations
This study does not provide strong evidence in support of educational and muscle relaxation interventions for the reduction of anxiety or depression.
Zhou, K., Li, X., Li, J., Liu, M., Dang, S., Wang, D., & Xin, X. (2015). A clinical randomized controlled trial of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation training in female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy: Results on depression, anxiety and length of hospital stay. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19, 54–59.
To examine effects of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training on depression and anxiety in Chinese patients with breast cancer
Patients randomly were assigned to the intervention group (which received the music and PMR intervention) or a usual care group after a radical mastectomy. To avoid contamination, intervention and control patients were placed in different inpatient areas. Music therapy involved listening to music via headphones connected to an MP3 player for 30 minutes twice per day. This began within 48 hours after surgery. Patients selected their preferred music. PMR training was conducted on the second postoperative day. Training was conducted twice per day for 30 minutes until discharge. Patients were encouraged to do PMR and music listening exercises together. Patients in the control group received the usual postoperative nursing care only. Study measures were obtained the day before surgery and the day before hospital discharge. Data collectors were blinded to group assignment.
Randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial
Analysis showed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety and depression over time alone (p < .001) as well as by group (p < .001), and there was a significant interaction between group and time (p = .0009). Depression scores declined an average of 7.2 points in the intervention group and 4.6 points in the control group. Anxiety scores declined an average of 16 points in the intervention group and 11 points in the control group. Hospital stay time was significantly lower in the intervention group (p < .001). Hospital stay length was shorter in the intervention group.
The findings of this study suggest that the combination of PMR and listening to music was helpful in reducing anxiety and depression in women after mastectomies.
Listening to music and using progressive muscle relaxation may have a positive impact on anxiety and depression in patients postoperatively. These are low-risk, low-cost interventions that may be beneficial. The findings of this study showed that those who had the intervention also had shorter hospital stays. There is insufficient evidence to determine the real impact of this intervention on duration of hospitalization; however, these findings suggest that this area deserves further exploration.
Andersen, B.L., DeRubeis, R.J., Berman, B.S., Gruman, J., Champion, V.L., Massie, M.J., . . . American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2014). Screening, assessment, and care of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with cancer: An American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline adaptation. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 32, 1605–1619.
The guideline provides an algorithm for the screening and assessment of anxiety, a care map for anxiety in adults with cancer, an algorithm for the screening and assessment of depression, a care map for depression in adults with cancer, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9) symptom depression scale and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) items, and selected measures for depression and anxiety (modified).
Nurses play a vital role in the early screening, assessment, and treatment of patients who may have significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. By screening and making appropriate referrals, we can impact the emotional, interpersonal, and financial costs for patients and reduce the economic impact for providers and the healthcare system.