Positive Health Online

Abstract

KANG and COLLEAGUES, Institution School of Nursing, University of Texas-Houston, USA. duck-hee.kang@uth.tmc.edu conducted an exploratory study to determine effects of relaxation practice upon immune response in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Background

The authors sought to determine the dose effects of relaxation practice on immune responses and describe the types of relaxation techniques preferred and the extent of relaxation practice over 10 months.

Methodology

Design: Descriptive, prospective, repeated measures. Setting: An interdisciplinary breast clinic at a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer centre in the United States. Sample: 49 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and undergoing adjuvant therapy who participated in a stress management intervention. Relaxation practice was assessed twice a month for 10 months with immune measurements (e.g., natural killer cell activity; lymphocyte proliferation; interferon [IFN]-gamma; interleukin [IL]-2, -4, -6, and -10) at the beginning and end of 10-month practice. Main Research Variables: Relaxation practice (representing the concepts of stress and adherence), relaxation technique, and immune response.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, the extent of relaxation practice significantly contributed to the variance of natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation, IL-4, and IL-10 responses in a positive direction; the higher the relaxation practice, the higher the immune responses. In comparison, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-6 responses were not affected. The deep-breathing method was most preferred by participants, followed by progressive relaxation and imagination or visualization. The mean weekly frequency of relaxation practice was 5.29 (SD = 3.35), and the mean duration of relaxation practice was 19.16 (SD = 10.81) minutes per session.

Conclusion

Persistent relaxation practice may have positive effects on multiple immune responses in a dose-dependent manner. Allowing the choice of preferred techniques and emphasizing the importance of long-term adherence, a relaxation program may need to be routinely offered to women under high stress.

References

Kang DH, McArdle T, Park NJ, Weaver MT, Smith B and Carpenter J. Dose effects of relaxation practice on immune responses in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: an exploratory study. Source Oncology Nursing Forum. 38(3): E240-52. May 2011.