Efficacy of Biofeedback Associated with Relaxation in Decreasing Anxiety in Women with Breast Cancer During Chemotherapy

The aim of present research is investigating the effects of biofeedback and relaxation in decreasing the anxiety during chemotherapy. It is a field study and semi-experimental (pre-test – post-test with control group). The statistical population includes the women with breast cancer who were hospitalized at Tehran Emam Khomeini Hospital. For sampling 14 subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups of experiment and control. Data were gathered through Spilberger anxiety test as pre-test – post-test. Spilberger anxiety test includes state and trait anxiety so there were 4 groups: state anxiety experiment (SAE), state anxiety control (SAC), trait anxiety experiment (TAE) and trait anxiety control (TAC) groups. Alpha brain waves were measured repeatedly by neurofeedback set in 4 phases during chemotherapy. Manipulation in experiment group was done with two kinds of biofeedback (neurofeedback and skin conductance biofeedback) associated with relaxation. Procedures of the present research were conducted during 3 periods of chemotherapy. Data analyses were done by using statistical methods such as correlated-t (T-test) for anxiety test and anova (analysis of variance for repeated measure: f-test) for Alpha brain waves. In SAE group the amount of t-observed (t = 2.2, p < 0.05) was significant but in SAC group the amount of t-observed (t = −0.076, p < 0.05) was not significant. There was no significant difference between TAE and TAC groups. However, the mean score of trait anxiety in the experiment group decreased after manipulation, while in control group it increased slightly. In experiment group the amount of f-observed for Alpha brain waves (f = 8.731, p < 0.05) was significant and Alpha waves range increased after Manipulation.