Effects of Electromyography Biofeedback Assisted-Relaxation on Levels of Cancer-Related Pain in Advanced Cancer Patients

• Main Authors: Pei-ling Chen, 陳佩鈴
• Other Authors: Chia-Chin Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07992163361513152347

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 護理學研究所 === 93 === The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback assisted-relaxation on levels of cancer-related pain in advanced cancer patients. A convenience sample of 24 patients from the hospice unit in a medical center was recruited. A pre-post test experimental design was used in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 12) and control group (n = 12). Major outcomes included levels of pain as measured by the Chinese version of the Brief Pain Inventory and general muscle tension as determined by the frontalis EMG level. The experimental group received 6 EMG biofeedback-assisted relaxation-training sessions over a 4-week period, while the control group received conventional care. All participants were evaluated for levels of pain and muscle tension on week 1 before the training (pretest). The same evaluation was repeated after 4 weeks (posttest). In addition, the experimental group was also evaluated for pain and muscle tension immediately before each training session. Descriptive analysis and GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations) were used to analyze the data. Results showed a significant decrease in the level of pain (β = 1.31, p < .0001) and frontalis muscle tension (β = .46, p < .001) in participants who received the EMG biofeedback assisted-relaxation training as compared to control group. Posttest frontalis muscle tension significantly correlated with posttest pain levels (r = .54, p = .006). The present study demonstrated that EMG biofeedback assisted-relaxation could effectively reduce pain level of advanced cancer patients possibly through reducing their general muscle tension and thus anxiety level. Thus, biofeedback-assisted relaxation can be a useful adjunct to pharmacotherapy in controlling cancer-related pain in terminal cancer patients.