The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on cancer patients’ self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is considered as one of the influential parameters affecting the health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxation techniques on self-efficacy of patients suffering from cancer. This study was a clinical trial in which 80 patients suffering from cancer were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control. Data collection instruments consisted of demographic information and Strategies Used by People to Promote Health questionnaires. In the experimental group, the patients performed relaxation techniques once a day for 30 min over two months. In the control group, the patients received the routine care. A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean self-efficacy indices in the experimental group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.3). Muscle relaxation can enhance self-efficacy of cancer patients. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative method for patients who are willing to use this technique. •Relaxation has a favorable impact on the self-efficacy of patients with cancer.•Relaxation can be adopted as a non-drug, simple, low-cost, and affordable strategy to increase the self-efficacy in patients with cancer.