Randomised controlled study of relaxation training

In a study lasting 12 weeks, relaxation training was evaluated as a coping resource for cancer patients. 80 patients of both sexes were randomised to relaxation training and to a control (no training) group (40 in each). Scores for anxiety, depression and psychiatric morbidity were obtained at 0, 6 and 12 weeks with well-known questionnaires and a new anxiety and depression scale, the effects of serious illness (ESI) scale. 71 patients (32 men and 39 women) successfully completed the study. Results showed that relaxation training and control group scores were similar at 0 weeks. Higher anxiety, depression and psychiatric morbidity scores were reported by all patients at 6 and, to a lesser extent, at 12 weeks with greater differences in women. Female controls invariably reported significantly higher scores at 6 and 12 weeks on all indices. Male controls reported significantly higher anxiety scores only at 6 and 12 weeks.