Impact of applied progressive deep muscle relaxation training on the health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients — A quasi experimental trial

PurposeTo determine the impact of applied progressive muscle relaxation training on health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients.MethodA quasi-experimental study was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) over six months. Patients from UMMC received the intervention and patients from UKMMC as a comparison group. The general health related quality of life was measured using Short Form-36 (SF-36).ResultsA total of 77 patients from the intervention group and 78 patients from the comparison group participated in the study. At the end of the study, only 90.9% in intervention group and 87.2% in comparison group completed the study. There were significant differences between intervention and comparison groups for mental component summary (MCS) (p = 0.032) and overall health related quality of life (p = 0.042) scores. However, there was no significant difference between groups for physical component summary (PCS) (p = 0.965).ConclusionThe improvement in MCS and overall QOL showed the potential of APMRT in the management of prostate cancer patients. Future studies should be carried out over a longer duration to provide stronger evidence for the introduction of relaxation therapy among prostate cancer patients as a coping strategy to improve their QOL.

► APMRT significantly improved the total quality of life among prostate cancer patients.
► Scores of mental component summary were improved.
► There was no improvement in scores of physical component summary.
► The small effect sizes observed warrant future studies carried out over a longer duration.