The effect of relaxation exercises on symptom severity in patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy: An open label non-randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction: Progressive relaxation exercises are commonly used non-pharmacological methods to cope with chemotherapy side effects. This study was conducted to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises on chemotherapy symptoms in patients with breast cancer who were undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: This non-randomized controlled, open-label, parallel group experimental design was conducted on patients with breast cancer (n = 49) who were divided into two groups: intervention (n = 25) and control (n = 24). The intervention group received instruction in relaxation exercises from the researcher in the clinic. They practiced in the hospital with the researcher in the clinic, and individually applied the exercises at home. The patients in the control group received only standard medical care. Symptoms were assessed 8 different times during the course of 4 treatments: before each chemotherapy treatment and on the 11th day after each treatment. Results: The severity of pain, fatigue, nausea, sadness, anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, feeling bad, shortness of breath, change in skin and nails and mouth ulcers were significantly less in the intervention group than in the control group. The severity of these symptoms significantly increased in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Relaxation exercises had a positive effect on decreasing the symptoms resulting from adjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, the use of relaxation exercises may be recommended for reducing the severity of chemotherapy symptoms in patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.