Effectiveness of a Relaxation Technique on Reducing Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue among Women with Breast Cancer in Goa: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivePsychological distress in cancer is associated with poorer quality of life, poorer treatment adherence and outcomes, and higher healthcare costs. The current study aimed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of the Progressive Muscle Relaxation program in female patients with breast cancer at Goa Medical College, Goa, a state in the Western part of India. This study will help to explore the level of anxiety, depression, and fatigue and provide suitable recommendations to reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue among cancer patients. MethodsIt was a Randomised Controlled Trial. The study was conducted in Surgery Wards 106 and 109 at Goa Medical College. Adult women [≥] 18 years of age with a new diagnosis of breast cancer who have undergone surgery as their primary mode of treatment are included in the study. Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each, using a block randomization method with ten numbered sealed opaque envelopes. Fifty-eight people completed the study. The intervention entailed a 20-minute Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) session, which started with Deep Breathing and Guided Imagery (GI) sessions given to one group. Both groups were evaluated for anxiety, depression, and fatigue levels using the Zung Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Fatigue Scale at baseline and after the two-week intervention. ResultsFifty-eight people completed the study. The participants in both groups had similar sociodemographic characteristics and clinical profiles. After two weeks of intervention, the intervention group showed significant reductions in anxiety (51.71 {+/-} 2.89 to 38.52 {+/-} 6.32, p [≤] 0.001), depression (11.48 {+/-} 2.93 to 6.16 {+/-} 2.98, p [≤] 0.001), and fatigue (23.29 {+/-} 4.12 to 16.88 {+/-} 4.73, p [≤] 0.001). ConclusionsThis study highlights the effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Guided Imagery (GI) in reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue in breast cancer patients. These nonpharmacological techniques serve as valuable complementary therapies, helping manage emotional distress and prevent symptom progression during treatment. Trial registration number and dateCTRI (Clinical Trial Registry of India) Registration was done in February 2021 from the Clinical Trial Registry of India, with Reg. number CTRI/2021/02/030996.