Relaxation Techniques

• We did not find any studies investigating the effects of relaxation techniques alone on treatment outcomes.
• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on response to chemotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with relaxation training and imagery in preliminary studies

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What is your body terrain? ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation after breast cancer surgery among people participating in autogenic training
• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation among people participating in relaxation training (not specific to cancer)

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Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of benefit

• Modest evidence of less depression among people with cancer treated with relaxation training without regard to cancer treatment phase
• Modest evidence of less fatigue during chemotherapy among people treated with progressive muscle relaxation
• Modest evidence of less fatigue after surgery or stem cell transplant among people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Modest evidence of less nausea during cancer treatment among people treated with relaxation techniques
• Modest evidence of fewer and less severe hot flashes among people with primary breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Modest evidence of less pain among people with breast cancer treated with relaxation-based intervention
• Modest evidence of less pain during cancer treatment as a whole among people treated with relaxation training
• Modest evidence of less aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain among postmenopausal women with non-metastatic breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques

Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of benefit

• Preliminary evidence of lower anxiety among people with cancer participating in relaxation training without regard to treatment stage
• Preliminary evidence of less anxiety during or soon after radiotherapy among people coached in progressive muscle relaxation
• Preliminary evidence of less anxiety soon after surgery among people with cancer participating in progressive muscle relaxation training
• Preliminary evidence of less depression during chemotherapy among people treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of less depression during radiotherapy among people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of less pain during chemotherapy among people treated with progressive muscle relaxation
• Preliminary evidence of less pain among hospitalized people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of better self-efficacy scores among people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of less illness-related social disruption among women with breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of better scores for use of emotional support, positive reframing, and planning during chemotherapy, but no evidence of better quality of life during chemotherapy among people treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of better quality of life after surgery among people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of less stress or better coping skills during cancer treatment or intervention among people with breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of less tension or distress among hospitalized people with cancer or parents of hospitalized children with cancer treated with relaxation techniques
• Preliminary evidence of better body image among women with breast or gynecologic cancer treated with progressive muscle relaxation

No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments.

• No evidence of an effect on pulmonary function after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation in a small trial
• No evidence of an effect on reported fatigue after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation techniques in a small trial
• No evidence of an effect on pain after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation techniques in a preliminary study

See How can relaxation techniques help you? What the research says ›

We did not find any published studies investigating relaxation techniques for reducing cancer risk.

• Recommended in integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer clinical practice guidelines
• Widely used by integrative practitioners
• Used in traditional medicine systems

See How do experts use relaxation techniques? ›

• Generally safe, although some serious side effects are possible; caution and supervision are needed for people with specific conditions, such as epilepsy or psychiatric conditions

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• Widely available without restriction and generally inexpensive (less than $2000 US/year)
• Both paid sessions and free video and audio resources are available

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