The impact of muscle relaxation techniques on the quality of life of cancer patients, as measured by the FACT-G questionnaire
Parás-Bravo, Paula (University of Cantabria. Department of Nursing)
Salvadores-Fuentes, Paloma (University Rey Juan Carlos. Department of Nursing)
Alonso-Blanco, Cristina (University Rey Juan Carlos. Department Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine)
Paz-Zulueta, María (University of Cantabria. Department of Nursing)
Santibañez-Margüello, Miguel (University of Cantabria. Department of Nursing)
Palacios-Ceña, Domingo (University Rey Juan Carlos. Department Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine)
Boixadera Planas, Ester (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Servei d'Estadística Aplicada)
Fernández-de-las-Peñas, César (University Rey Juan Carlos. Department Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine)

Data:	2017
Resum:	Patients 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. We 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. Patients 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). Patients 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.
Nota:	Altres ajuts: Fundacion Obra Social Caja Cantabria
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Publicat a:	PloS one, Vol. 12, Issue 10 (October 2017) , art. e0184147, ISSN 1932-6203

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184147
PMID: 29049283

13 p, 2.3 MB

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