EFFECTIVENESS OF RELAXATION TRAINING IN REDUCING THE AVERSIVENESS OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

Progressive muscle relaxation training was used to reduce the conditioned negative responses developed by a 30-yr-old cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment. In a design that included Baseline, Phase 1 therapist-directed relaxation. Phase 1 patient-directed relaxation, Phase 2 therapist-directed relaxation, and Phase 2 patient-directed relaxation sessions, the patient underwent therapist-directed or self-directed relaxation training immediately before and during 10 consecutive chemotherapy treatments. Results indicated tha during the therapist-directed phases and one or both of the patient-directed phases the patient showed reductions in negative affect, frequency of vomiting, and post-session physiological arousal. It was concluded that progressive muscle relaxation training may be an effective procedure for reducing the adverse side effects of cancer chemotherapy. © 1979.