title: A relaxation response training for women undergoing breast biopsy: exploring integrated care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent changes in clinical guideline recommendations for age of breast cancer screening initiation highlighted the potential psychological ramifications associated with screening. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a brief Relaxation Response training (RRT) to decrease distress among women undergoing breast biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women scheduled for percutaneous core-needle biopsy were recruited into a single-arm RRT trial, including 3 individual sessions. Psychosocial assessments were completed pre- and postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty women were enrolled between 6/1/10 and 8/31/11. Among enrollees, 75% completed all 3 RRT sessions, and 75% completed the post-assessment. Participants showed significant reductions in acute distress following each RRT session. Qualitative feedback indicated a positive impact of RRT on clinic care experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RRT is a portable intervention that was feasible to implement, acceptable to patients and associated with significant decreases in acute emotional distress during the period of diagnostic uncertainty related to percutaneous breast biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Center for Psychiatric Oncology and Behavioral Science, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: epark@partners.org.
authors.forename: Elyse R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traeger
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willett
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gerade
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rastegar
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Denninger
authors.forename: Janie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Anxiety; Breast biopsy; Breast cancer screening; Mind body medicine; Relaxation response; Stress