The Alternative Medicine Blog

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well-being and quality-of-life for breast and prostate cancer patients: Initial report

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As many of you know, I am going to invest a considerable amount of time and energy researching MBM modalities in the oncological setting. Partially because MBM modalities, when combined with standard treatment, show great promise to increase quality of life, reduce anxiety, pain intensity, and possibly even extend life.

For a thorough description of my research interests please visit my Guided Imagery page at my website www.WernerAbsenger.com and my page about Mind-Body Skills Groups .

Right now I just wanted to bring awareness on research that is being done at Cyprus University. The following abstract by Andreas, C. (2011). The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well-being and quality-of-life for breast and prostate cancer patients: Initial report just appeared in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine whether relaxation and guided imagery techniques have the potential to reduce anxiety, depression, pain intensity and improve quality-of-life for prostate and breast cancer patients.

Materials and method: Two-hundred patients with breast and prostate cancer were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 100) or the control group (n = 100). Only patients in the intervention group received relaxation and guided imagery sessions. Each participant received 4 sessions of relaxation followed by guided imagery. Saliva was collected before and after the sessions and analyzed. Other measurements included assessment of quality-of-life (EORTC QLQ-30, Breast Module-BR23, and Prostate Module-PR25), pain intensity (pain intensity rating scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale-SAS).

Results: Even though the study has not yet been completed initial results show that the amylase level was significantly decreased after the relaxation and guided imagery sessions in the intervention group compared to the control group. Similarly, cortisol levels were also found to be lower in the intervention group compared to the control group, however to a lesser degree. Quality-of-life (P = 0.003), anxiety (P = 0.008), depression (P = 0.004), and pain ratings (P = 0.005) also show a positive response to the interventions.

Conclusion: Salivary α-amylase levels were significantly reduced and reacted more rapidly than cortisol levels to the interventions, suggesting that it is a better relaxation index. The use of Mind-Body techniques appears effective in reducing the levels of anxiety, depression and body discomfort in patients who have breast or prostate cancer. These simple, inexpensive and non-invasive interventions have the potential to enhance the psychological and physical wellness in these patients.

If you are a cancer patient or a caretaker/loved one of a cancer patient you might be interested in Mind-Body Skills Groups forming in West Michigan. We’ll be exploring Guided Imagery mentioned in this study and many other Mind-Body modalities. For more information visit my page about Mind-Body Skills Groups.

The quest continues to find the best combination of modalities to improve the lives of patients suffering from cancer and their caretakers/loved ones.

Thank you for reading the Alternative Medicine Blog! Your Source for Mind-Body Medicine News and Research.

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APA: W Absenger. (2011, October 20). The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well being [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.amacf.org/2011/10/the-effect-of-progressive-muscle-relaxation-and-guided-imagery-in-improving-psychological-well-being.html

MLA: Absenger, Werner. "The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well being." The Alternative Medicine Blog. The Alternative Medicine Blog., 20 OCT. 2011. Web. Insert your date of access here.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner Absenger, M.Sc.

MBM Research Scientist: Visit me at www.WernerAbsenger.com

Ph.D. Student at Saybrook University’s College of Mind-Body Medicine Research Track

Sign Up For The MBM Insider Werner's Free Mind-Body Medicine Newsletter

References:

Andreas, C. (2011). The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in improving psychological well-being and quality-of-life for breast and prostate cancer patients: Initial report. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 3(3), e125. doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2011.05.044

 

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Human Cancer Gene Gets Green Light for Patent

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In a 2:1 decision handed down by Judge Lourie, the United States Court of appeals of the Federal Circuit ruled that “On the merits, we reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s composition claims to ‘isolated’ DNA molecules cover patent-ineligible products of nature under § 101 since molecules as claimed do not exist in nature” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The ruling further states that, “We also reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s method claim to screening potential cancer therapeutics via changes in cell growth rates is directed to a patent-ineligible scientific principle” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The court acknowledged that one plaintiff had a standing challenge to the validity of Myriad’s patents due to the fact that he would like to start research on the BRCA 1/ BRCA 2 genes immediately, but couldn’t because of the patent protection of the genes.

How Does Locus of Control Affect Perceived Risk for Breast Cancer in Healthy Women?

The study conducted by Rowe [1] looked at Locus of Control in healthy women and how it might affect the occurrence of breast cancer. Sixty-six women took part in this study, which was published in behavioral medicine.

How the Mind and Body Communicate (part XXIII)

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Mood State

In a trial with 125 women(1), suffering from metastatic breast cancer, were divided into two groups. The control group receiving educational materials on cancer only. The women in the other group were offered 1 year of weekly supportive-expressive group therapy.

How the Mind and Body Communicate (part XXI)

Studies of Group Support and Survival Rates in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

The Spiegel study's goal was to find if group therapy, for inpatients with metastatic breast cancer, had an impact on survival time. 86 patients with metastatic breast cancer were either assigned to group 1 or group 2 and evaluated in a randomized, controlled, 10-year follow up study.(1) Group 1 met weekly for 90 minutes for one year. Group 2, the control group did not meet at all.

How the Mind and Body Communicate (part XX)

Group Support and Cancer Outcomes

David Spiegel, a psychiatrist, in the 1970's worked under the assumption, that positive psychologic and symptom effects would occur in support groups for women with advanced breast cancer, that had spread throughout the body, without affecting the course of the disease. Little did he know that his work would show that the mind had indeed an effect on physical health.(1)