A randomized controlled trial of relaxation training to reduce hot flashes in women with primary breast cancer.

Full Abstract

Hot flashes are experienced by about 52% of perimenopausal women. After breast cancer, this may increase to 70%. The use of hormone replacement therapy is not recommended in women who have had breast cancer; therefore, alternatives are required to help relieve hot flashes. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of relaxation training in reducing the incidence of hot flashes in women with primary breast cancer. This was a randomized controlled trial of 150 women with primary breast cancer who experienced hot flashes. The intervention group received a single relaxation training session and was instructed to use practice tapes on a daily basis at home for one month; the control group received no intervention. Outcomes were incidence and severity of flashes using a diary and validated measures of anxiety and quality of life. The incidence and severity of hot flashes, as recorded by diaries, each significantly declined over one month (P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively), compared with the control group. Distress caused by flashes also significantly declined in the treatment group over one month (P=0.01), compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the treatment group and the control group at three months and no changes in anxiety or quality-of-life measures. Relaxation may be a useful component of a program of measures to relieve hot flashes in women with primary breast cancer.

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Author information

Author/s: Fenlon, Deborah R (DR); Corner, Jessica L (JL); Haviland, Joanne S (JS);

Affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. dfenlon(-atsign-)soton.ac.uk <dfenlon(-atsign-)soton.ac.uk>

Grants: (Agency:United Kingdom Cancer Research UK)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of pain and symptom management (J Pain Symptom Manage), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 35 (issue 4) : pp 397-405

Dates: Created 2008/03/24; Completed 2008/06/18;

PMID: 18359433, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Breast Neoplasms - complications; psychology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hot Flashes - epidemiology; psychology; therapy
Humans

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