The effects of concrete objective information and relaxation on maintaining usual activity during radiation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of concrete objective information (COI) and relaxation instruction (RI) on patients undergoing radiation therapy, as well as the contribution of symptom uncertainty and body awareness to the intervention effects.


METHODS
Three-group randomized trial. Assignment was stratified by cancer site. Data collectors were blinded to group assignments.


METHODS
University medical center radiation therapy department serving both urban and rural communities in the southeastern United States.


METHODS
76 adults having radiation with curative intent for gynecologic, head and neck, or lung cancer. Most were Caucasian and had in situ to stage II disease. Mean age was 55 years.


METHODS
COI and RI were delivered by tape recordings. Outcome measures were indicators of usual activities and emotions at treatment week 3 and two and four weeks post-treatment.


METHODS
Intervention group; social, household, and recreational activities; anxiety, depression, and anger; body awareness; and symptom uncertainty.


RESULTS
Participants receiving either intervention reported more social activity during treatment. Those given RI who were high in body awareness reported more household activity during treatment. No effects were found regarding emotion. Symptom uncertainty partially explained COI effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide additional support for the effectiveness of COI in helping patients to maintain more of their usual activities during radiation therapy. Instruction in progressive muscle relaxation also may help in maintaining activities.


CONCLUSIONS
COI helps patients to cope with treatment by reducing their uncertainty about symptoms. RI effects may vary by activity type and awareness of usual body sensations.
Christman
Norma J
NJ
College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. njchri1@uky.edu
Cain
Linda B
LB
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000451:nursing; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000451:nursing*; D012063:Relaxation; D012423:Rural Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D014504:Urban Health; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy