Psychological wellbeing ameliorates in women with breast cancer randomized to treatment with applied relaxation or acupuncture for vasomotor symptoms

• The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of applied relaxation and electro-acupuncture on psychological wellbeing in breast cancer treated women with vasomotor symptoms. Thirty-eight postmenopausal women with breast cancer and vasomotor symptoms were included in the study. They were randomized between treatment with elcctro-acupuncture (n=19, three of them with tamoxifen) or applied relaxation (n=19, five of them with tamoxifen) during 12 weeks with six months follow-up. Vasomotor symptoms were registered daily and a visual analogue scale on climacteric symptoms as well as estimates of general wellbeing using the Symptom Checklist and mood by the Mood Scale, were completed during treatment and follow-up.Totally 31 women completed 12 weeks of treatment and 6 months of follow-up. Hot flushes were reduced by more than 50 percent. Climacteric symptoms significantly decreased after treatment and remained so 6 months after treatment in both groups. Simultaneously with the decrease of flushes, psychological wellbeing was significantly ameliorated throughout the study period in both groups. Mood changed significantly in the acupuncture treated group.In conclusion psychological wellbeing ameliorates in women with breast cancer randornized to treatment with applied relaxation or acupuncture for vasomotor symptoms.

Nyckelord

Vasomotor symptoms

menopause

breast cancer

applied relaxation

acupuncture

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)