[Effect of designed exercise program on stress, anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy]

Fear of death, lack of knowledge and fear of treatment and its complications, lack of assurance of recovery, possibility of occurrence of problems in their family are predisposing factors in occurrence and intensity of psychological reactions such as stress, anxiety and depression in the women with breast cancer. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the effect of designed exercise program on stress, anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on a total of 56 women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy, refereed to Imam Khomeini hospital of Tehran in 2006. Using DASS-21 and demographic questionnaires, data were collected. The patients in experimental group used the designed exercise program at home for 20 to 30 minutes every day, for 3 to 5 days per week for 9 weeks [3 cycles of chemotherapy]. In control group, the routine helps were conducted. All patients were followed up. Data were analyzed using X[2] and t test. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the cases of demographic characteristics, cancer stage, and method of surgery. Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the cases of stress, anxiety, and depression, before intervention. However, following intervention, the mean of stress, in the case and control groups were 7.25 +/- 4.42 and 10.82 +/- 5.46 for anxiety were 4.07 +/- 2.72 and 7.07 +/- 4.8, was and for depression were 3.82 +/- 8.83 and 7.32 +/- 5.12, respectively [P<0.01]. Based on the results, the designed exercise program was effective to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy in this research

Study effect of relaxation technique on anxiety and stress in elders with hypertension

Anxiety and stress are among the most important problems of modern life. These problems, particularly in elders who their adaptation to the problems is low, result in serious complications in health. This study was performed to assess the effects of progressive muscle relaxation [PMR] technique on anexiety and stress in the hepertensive elders. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Kahrizak charity foundation in Tehran, in 2005. In this study, 55 elderly men and women who resided in the centre and suffered from hypertension, were randomly divided into two groups; experimental [27] and control [28]. PMR technique was administrated to the individuals of experimental group for 6 weeks [3 times a week, for 20 minutes]. Subsequently, using depression anxiety stress [DAS] questionair, the level of anxiety and stress was measured in the two groups at the beginning, in the third week and at the end of the study. The data was analyzed, using Manvitni, Wilkakson and ANOVA tests. Using PMR, mean of anxiety and stress in the individuals of experimental group was 38.8 +/- 4.02, before intervention and decreased to 3434.3 +/- 3.7, at the third min. and to 33 +/- 5.17, at the end of intervention [p<0.01]. In the control group, the means were 38.6+4.14, before intervention, 37.5+6.07 at the third week and 39.5 +/- 4.16 at the end of intervention. These differences were statistically significant [p<0.05]. Also, in the individuals of experimental group, there was a significant decrease in SBP, DBP, HR, RR [p<0.01], whereas in the control group, these parameters, except RR were increased [p<0.01]. Our results showed that using non therapeutic techniques such as PMR may control both stress and anxiety and their complications such as hypertension in elders. This would result in healthy and prolonged life in this age group like others