Effectiveness of biofeedback and relaxation training in reducing the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.

Assessed the effectiveness of electromyograph (EMG) and skin-temperature (ST) biofeedback and relaxation training (RXT) in reducing the aversiveness of cancer chemotherapy (CHEMO). 81 cancer patients (aged 18–75 yrs) were randomized to 1 of 6 groups formed by a 3?×?2 factorial design. Outcome was assessed with physiological, patient-reported, and nurse-reported indices taken over 5 consecutive CHEMO treatments. RXT patients showed decreases in nausea and anxiety during CHEMO and physiological arousal after CHEMO. EMG and ST biofeedback reduced some indices of physiological arousal but had no other effects on CHEMO side effects. RXT may be effective in reducing the adverse consequences of CHEMO. It is suggested that the positive effects found for biofeedback were due to the RXT that was given with the biofeedback, not to the biofeedback alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)