Introduction: Chemotherapy is one of the common treatment methods for cancer. However, many side effects can be seen among patients and some of them are very serious and painful. Alopecia, anorexia, vomiting, pain in the limbs, headache, and backache are some unwanted effects. On the other hand many patients suffer from psychiatric disorders especially anxiety and depression probably due to the drugs or coping with the disease state. These disorders can cause some problems in the treatment process and the Quality of life. Patients with anxiety and depression can be treated with drugs or psychotherapy. Progressive Muscle Relaxation [PMR] training is a cost effective self-help method promoting mental health in healthy participants. The aim of this study was to determine anxiety, depression, and quality of life dimensions of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training in improving their mental health and quality of life.
Materials and Methods: This research was designed as a randomized clinical trial. Sixty cancer inpatients undergoing chemotherapy in the Tabriz Hematology & Oncology ward in 2009 were randomly selected and divided into two groups, intervention or control. All participants provided a written formal consent. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life dimensions were determined with HADS and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires. SPSS 16 software was employed for the data analysis. After completion of the 1st questionnaires by all participants, the case group was trained in progressive muscle relaxation in 3-6 person groups, with the aim of doing it by themselves in the hospital and after discharge 2-3 times a day. At 2 weeks and one and three months after the intervention, questionnaires were completed again by both groups, and the results were compared.
Results: After initial data analysis almost all of the participants were satisfied with the learning and the experience of this technique. There was no significant difference between the scores of the case and control groups after PMR after 2 weeks and 1 month (p >0.05). However, after 3 months, anxiety, depression and quality of life dimensions were significantly improved (p <0.05).
Discussion and Conclusion: Almost always side effects of chemotherapy were so terrible that participants could not benefit from PMR in the first weeks. However, after a decrease in the side effects of the chemotherapy and by practicing more and doing PMR better, this technique improved anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with cancer.