Efficacy of Jacobson’s Progressive Muscular Relaxation Therapy in Strain, Anxiety, Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life of Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Bhopal City, India

The present study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of Jacobson Progressive Muscular Relaxation Therapy (JPMR) in alleviating the strain, anxiety and caregiver burden experienced by caregivers of cancer patients and also in improving the Quality of Life of cancer caregivers. A sample of 80 subjects with specified inclusion-exclusion criteria was selected with caregivers divided equally into experimental (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. The study was an experimental, two group comparison design with pre and posttest intervention assessment. Assessment was done using Semi-structured Interview Schedule, Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Zarit Burden Interview and WHO Quality of Life - BREF scale. The Intervention program consisted of Jacobson’s Progressive Muscular Relaxation Therapy, Psycho education, and Counseling to significant others. The duration of intervention program was 60 sessions over the period of three months and each session of 30 minutes. Subjects, each of the experimental group and the control group, completed participation. The two groups were statistically comparable at baseline on socio-demographic, clinical and outcome variables. Following the intervention, at post intervention assessment, the experimental group showed a significant improvement on Strain, Anxiety, Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life measures. No significant changes were noticed among the control group at post assessment on these variables. The implications, limitations and strengths of the study along with suggestions for future research for cancer caregivers are discussed.