Document Detail


Dose effects of relaxation practice on immune responsesin women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: an exploratory study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21531674     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Purpose/Objectives: 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.Design: Descriptive, prospective, repeated measures.Setting: An interdisciplinary breast clinic at a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer center in the United States.Sample: 49 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and undergoing adjuvant therapy who participated in a stress management intervention.Methods: Relaxation practice was assessed twice a month for 10 months with immune measurements (e.g., natural killer cell activity; lymphocyte proliferation; interferon [IFN]-g; 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.Findings: 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-g, 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.Conclusions: Persistent relaxation practice may have positive effects on multiple immune responses in a dose-dependent manner.Implications for Nursing: 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.
Authors:
Duck-Hee Kang; Traci McArdle; Na-Jin Park; Michael T Weaver; Barbara Smith; John Carpenter
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Oncology nursing forum     Volume:  38     ISSN:  1538-0688     ISO Abbreviation:  Oncol Nurs Forum     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-02     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7809033     Medline TA:  Oncol Nurs Forum     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  E240-52     Citation Subset:  IM; N    
Affiliation:
Center for Nursing Research, University of Texas-Houston.
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