The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise on Caregiver Burden, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise on Caregiver Burden, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Caregivers of patients with advanced cancer will be entered. Participants will be randomized to one of two study arms: Arm 1: Progressive muscle relaxation; Arm 2: Attention matched control. Hypothesis: Progressive muscle relaxation will decrease caregiving burden and severity of fatigue and improve quality of life.

Previous reports have revealed that progressive muscle relaxation to use to decrease symptom burden associated with cancer. However, there have been limited studies that directly focus on supporting caregivers of advanced cancer patients who face serious problems in diagnosis and treatment process, at least as much as cancer patients. Besides, till date, no study has been conducted to determine the effects of progressive relaxation exercise on caregiver burden, fatigue and quality of life in those providing care for patients with advanced cancer. The present study investigates the effects of progressive muscle relaxation in a single-site, 2-arm, randomized, controlled study of 64 caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Arm 1: relaxation; Arm 2: Attention matched control. The investigators hypothesize that progressive muscle relaxation will decrease severity of caregiver burden and fatigue and improve quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Literate
• Providing care for advanced cancer patients (stage III-IV) for at least 6 months
• Primary caregiver (caring for the longest time)
• No communication problem
• Not using any other non-pharmacological approach during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Providing care for individuals with early-stage (Stage I-II) cancer
• Caregivers who providing care services for a fee
• Having a history of psychiatric disorder (major depression, etc.)
• Not willing to participate in the study