International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Therapy on Women with Breast Cancer after Mastectomy: Effects of EMG-HRV Biofeedback on Psychological Symptoms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shahrokh Makvand-Hosseini 1
Hoda Nazemi 2
Samira Hoseini 1
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
10.30491/ijbs.2020.104122
Abstract
Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer patients usually react to mastectomy surgery by increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression which requires effective interventions.  The aim of present research was to investigate the effects of an Electromyography (EMG) and heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback-assisted relaxation training to alleviate the psychological symptoms of mastectomy breast cancer women.
Method: In a randomized controlled trial design about 14 mastectomy women were randomly chosen and divided into two groups and measures of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were gathered for them. The experimental group received biofeedback-assisted relaxation training, whereas no intervention administered on the control group. All subjects again completed the DASS scales afterwards. Indices of smooth artifact free surface Electromyography (sEMG) and HRV biofeedback recorded using a Biofeedback 2000 x-pert system Version 4. Data were analyzed by a General Linear Model: Multivariate Analysis of Variance statistical analysis.
Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress average scores showed a significant difference after biofeedback intervention. Significant differences were observed in the sEMG and Heart Rate Variability-Index (HRV-Index) measures of the two groups with better results for the experimental subjects as well.
Conclusion: The biofeedback-assisted relaxation training could effectively decrease negative psychological symptoms of the mastectomy breast cancer patients due to sEMG and HRV positive changes and is then recommended for these patients in the course of their treatment.
Keywords
Keywords: Biofeedback
Relaxation
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Breast Cancer
Mastectomy

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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 13, Issue 4
Winter 2020
Pages 147-152