The effects of relaxation and imagery training on the emotional and physical functioning of Chinese cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of relaxation and imagery training on the emotional and physical functioning of Chinese cancer patients. 389 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were randomly assigned to two groups measured with the QLQ-C30 and the POMS. Patients in the intervention group exercised relaxation and imagery skills everyday, and reported significantly less distress and higher global quality of life. Most scores of scales in the QLQ-C30 were better, especially some emotional scales in the POMS. These findings suggest that relaxation and imagery training are effective and beneficial for Chinese cancer patients.IUPsy