Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center & University of South Florida, Tampa studied responses of over 400 patients diagnosed with cancer about starting chemotherapy, comparing the effects of standard psychosocial care, a professionally administered form of stress management (including breathing exercises, relaxation + imagery and guided meditation), or a patient self-administered form of the same stress management training, using video, audio and printed guidance to relieve stress.

Compared with patients who received usual care only, patients receiving the self-administered intervention reported significantly better physical functioning, greater vitality, fewer role limitations because of emotional problems, and better mental health. In contrast, patients who received the professionally administered intervention fared no better in terms of quality of life than patients receiving usual care only.

The study concludes that self-administered stress management training has the potential to greatly improve patient access to psychosocial intervention during chemotherapy treatment.