A longitudinal study of the effects of home-based relaxation training program on anxiety and depression for patients with breast and colorectal cancer

Background and Aims Cancer diagnosis and the morbidities associated with cancer therapy can give rise to psychological distress and depressive symptoms in patients with breast or colorectal cancer. The study aims to determine the effects of relaxation training program on anxiety and depression. Methods Subjects who had a diagnosis of breast or colorectal cancer and treated with adjuvant cancer therapy were recruited and randomized either to an experimental (home based relaxation training program including progressive muscle relaxation, distraction and guided imagery) or a control group. Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS) was completed at baseline (time 1), at 6 weeks from time 1 (time 2), at 12 weeks from time 1 (time 3), and at 24 weeks from time 1 (time 4). Results One hundred forty‐three subjects (mean age 54 years; 75% with breast cancer) were accrued and randomized into experimental (n=72) or control (n=71) group. Subject characteristics and HADS scores were equivalent at baseline. The mean HADS‐A and HADS‐D scores of both groups varied significantly across the study points (p<0.01). In general, the patterns of HADS‐A and HADS‐D scores were similar in the two groups, which peaked on time 2 and 3. Comparison between the groups showed that subjects in the experimental group reported lower mean HADS‐A and HADS‐D scores than the control group at time 2‐3, but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the mean HADS‐A and HADS‐D scores between the groups at time 4 (p<0.05). Conclusions The finding suggests that relaxation training program may reduce the levels of anxiety and depression at 24 weeks.