The following is a summary of “Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation technique in reducing cancer-related pain among palliative care patients: A randomized controlled trial,” published in the July 2023 issue of Pain by Anshasi et al.

Cancer-related pain (CRP) is a common and distressing symptom in palliative care patients. Researchers started a retrospective study to assess the impact of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on CRP in palliative care patients.

They assigned 148 patients previously diagnosed with cancer and under palliative care to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received a 4-week daily PMR, while the control group received standard care. Data was gathered through a form covering demographic and clinical characteristics and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Blind assessments were performed before the intervention (T0), after the 4-week PMR program (T1), and during a 1-month follow-up (T2).

The results showed a substantial reduction in pain intensity scores for the PMR group compared to the control group at T1 and T2 (P<0.05). The PMR group demonstrated a noteworthy boost in pain interference with general activity, mood, relations with others, sleep, and enjoyment of life scores compared to the control group at T1 and T2 (P<0.05).

Investigators concluded that progressive muscle relaxation may reduce pain and improve quality of life in palliative care patients with cancer, but further research is needed.

Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/20494637231190191