Effect of Guided Imagery and Progressive Muscle Relaxation as a Means to Improve the Psychological Well-being and the Quality of Life for Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Guided Imagery and Progressive Muscle Relaxation techniques are effective in the management of pain, fatigue, nausea-vomit, anxiety and depression in patients with either prostate or breast cancer. This study includes a total of 200 patients with prostate and breast cancer randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group. The intervention group received in total 4 sessions of Guided Imagery (protocol floating on a cloud) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (breathing exercises and use of 11 groups of muscle progressively tensing and relaxing). Measurements included the assessment of pain, fatigue, nausea-vomit, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Additionally, saliva samples were collected prior and after the sessions as to assess saliva cortisol and saliva α-amylase. The same measurements were received by the patients of the control group as to allow comparisons.