Effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program on anxiety level of patients with breast cancer and with cervico-uterine cancer /

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a most easily acceptable non-invasive relaxation technique for women with breast and with cervico-uterine cancers. Employing pre-test post-test design, this study aimed to prove the positive effects of PMR program on decreasing generalized anxiety of cancer patients. The participants were 31 adult female patients diagnosed with stages I-V breast and cervico-uterine cancer in wards 4, 14b, and the Cancer Institute of the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital. The findings of the study revealed that cancer patients had significantly lower anxiety scores for picture themes depicting light and joyful expectation, respect for authority, responsible stewardship, and readiness to serve, after they had undergone the PMR program. The decrease in their anxiety as measured in terms of pulse rate and respiratory rate was also significant. However, there was no significant difference in the level of anxiety between patiens with breast cancer and patiens with cervico-uterine cancer. Additionally, there was weak correlation between age and anxiety, and high correlation between education and level of anxiety. The PMR Program was found to be effective in reducing the anxiety of patients with breast and with cervico-uterine cancers. PMR may be an effective biobehavioral nursing intervention that can be integrated in the nursing curriculum.

General Education.