How can relaxation techniques help you? What the research says - CancerChoices



Relaxation techniques refocus your attention on something calming and increase awareness of your body, often bringing your attention to your breathing, muscles, or other body functions to relax and calm them.

How can relaxation techniques help you? What the research says

Relaxation techniques are often combined with other mind-body therapies and sometimes other types of therapies. The sections below titled “Relaxation combined with other therapies” summarize the evidence regarding combined therapies.

We summarize the clinical evidence for each medical benefit here. We begin with our assessment of the strength of evidence within each category, followed by a brief summary of individual studies or reviews of several studies. In assessing the strength of evidence, we consider the study design, number of participants, and the size of the treatment effect (how much outcomes changed with treatment).

To see more details, click the plus sign to the right of any section.

Improving treatment outcomes

Are relaxation techniques linked to improved survival? Are they linked to less cancer growth or metastasis? Do they enhance the anticancer action of other treatments or therapies? We present the evidence.

Relaxation training combined with imagery

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

Optimizing your body terrain

Do relaxation techniques promote an environment within your body that is less supportive of cancer development, growth, or spread? We present the evidence.

See Optimizing Your Body Terrain ›

Find medical professionals who specialize in managing body terrain factors: Finding Integrative Oncologists and Other Practitioners ›

Immune function

Increased immune system activation is not always beneficial, so your oncology team needs to determine whether immune activation would be favorable in your situation.

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 autogenica relaxation technique which involves a series of attention-focusing exercises designed to induce relaxation and enhance the body’s self-healing powers 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)

Relaxation training combined with imagery or visualization

Preliminary evidence of higher markers of immune activation among women receiving chemotherapy followed by surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy for large or locally advanced breast cancers and treated with relaxation training and guided imagery

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 stress hormones during radiotherapy among people with breast cancer treated with relaxation and visualization therapy

Preliminary evidence of lower cortisol levels 1 day after cholecystectomy among people treated with relaxation and guided imagery

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Are relaxation techniques linked to fewer or less severe side effects or symptoms? Are they linked to less toxicity from cancer treatment? Do they support your quality of life or promote general well-being? We present the evidence.

Anxiety

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 lower anxiety among people with cancer participating in relaxation training without regard to treatment stage

Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less anxiety during chemotherapy among people treated with relaxation techniques

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

Breathlessness and other lung side effects

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 pulmonary function after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation in a small trial

Depression or mood

Modest evidence of less depression among people with cancer treated with relaxation training without regard to cancer treatment phase

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

Fatigue

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

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

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Modest evidence of less nausea during cancer treatment among people treated with relaxation techniques

Hot flashes

Modest evidence of fewer and less severe hot flashes among people with primary breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques

Pain

Modest evidence of less pain among people with breast cancer treated with relaxation-based interventions

Modest evidence of less pain during cancer treatment as a whole among people treated with relaxation training

Preliminary evidence of less pain during chemotherapy among people treated with progressive muscle relaxation

No evidence of an effect on pain after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation techniques in a preliminary study

Modest evidence of less aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain among postmenopausal women with non-metastatic breast cancer treated with relaxation techniques

Preliminary evidence of less pain among hospitalized people with cancer treated with relaxation techniques

Quality of life, function, and well-being

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

Stress, tension, or distress

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

Other side effects and symptoms

No evidence of an effect on duration of postoperative ileus after conventional resection of colorectal carcinoma among elderly people treated with relaxation techniques

Preliminary evidence of better body image among women with breast or gynecologic cancer treated with progressive muscle relaxation

Symptoms not specific to cancer

Preliminary evidence of lower heart rate values, subjective ratings of anxiety, reflux symptom ratings, and total esophageal acid exposure after a stressful task among people with reflux disease receiving a relaxation intervention

Modest evidence of fewer and/or less severe hot flashes among perimenopausal or postmenopausal women treated with relaxation techniques

Modest evidence of better sleep quality among people with insomnia or undergoing surgery treated with relaxation

Preliminary evidence of better quality of sleep around the time of surgery for anorectal diseases (not specific to cancer) among people treated with a guided imagery tape with a relaxation technique of music and relaxing text

Preliminary evidence of fewer hot flashes and better health-related quality of life for vasomotor symptoms, sleep, and memory among postmenopausal women with moderate to severe hot flashes participating in group therapy with applied relaxation

Preliminary evidence of less surgical wound redness after gallbladder surgery among people treated with relaxation with guided imagery

Relaxation combined with other therapies

Relaxation techniques have been studied with a wide variety of other therapies.

Keep reading about relaxation techniques

Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Reviewer

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: May 29, 2024

Last full literature review: October 2021

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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