Effects of Five-Finger Relaxation on Stress, Pain, and Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment
https://doi.org/10.53770/medica.v8i9.992
Keywords
Anxiety Breast Cancer Five Finger Relaxation Pain StressAbstract
Complications and side effects of breast cancer and its treatment include psychological distress, pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. The five-finger relaxation technique is a complementary therapy that may help alleviate these symptoms. This study examined the effect of the five-finger relaxation technique on stress, pain, and anxiety among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group study was conducted from August 2024 to February 2025. Forty breast cancer patients undergoing their first cycle of chemotherapy were recruited and assigned to intervention (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The intervention group practiced the five-finger relaxation technique three times daily for three consecutive days (10–15 minutes/session), while the control group received standard care. Stress, pain, and anxiety were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Data were analyzed using paired- and independent-sample t-tests. Significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups in stress (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 5.314), pain (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 5.452), and anxiety (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.194). The intervention demonstrated substantial reductions in all three outcomes. The five-finger relaxation technique may be an effective complementary intervention for reducing stress, pain, and anxiety among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the quasi-experimental design and relatively small sample size.
Downloads
References
Adiningtya, P., & Prasetyorini, H. (2024). Penerapan Hipnoterapi Lima Jari Terhadap Penurunan Skala Nyeri Pada Pasien Kanker Serviks. Jurnal Manajemen Asuhan Keperawatan, 8(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.33655/mak.v8i1.186
Ahmed Thabet, H., El Saied Mahmoud Dawoud, S., Gamal Abd Elnaser Ahmed Elnabawey, M., & Rabie kamel Goma, L. (2023). Effect of finger handheld relaxation technique on fatigue and Stress among Women with Preeclampsia. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 14(2), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2023.292661
Allam, S. M. E., Elmetwaly, A. A. M., & Mokhtar, I. M. (2023). Impact of the Finger Handheld Relaxation Technique on Pain Intensity and Stress among Post Appendectomy Patients. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 14(3), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2023.313529
Ardinata, Agustriani, F., Nirwana, N., Hernanda, R., & Susanto, A. (2023). The effect of giving the five-finger hypnosis technique on reducing pain intensity in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) patients at the health center Adi Luhur Mesuji. Jurnal Aisyah : Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 8(S1), 323–326. https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v8is1.1723
Badrujamaludin, A., Setya, A., & Nita, A. (2018). Pengaruh Teknik Hipnosis Lima Jari terhadap Penurunan Tingkat Kecemasan pada Pasien Pre Op Sectio Caesarea di Ruang Burangrang RS Dustira Cimahi Tahun 2017. Prosiding Pertemuan Ilmiah Nasional Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat I (Pinlitamas 1), 1(1), 158–168.
Brewin, C. R., Atwoli, L., Bisson, J. I., Galea, S., Koenen, K., & Lewis‐Fernández, R. (2025). Post‐traumatic stress disorder: evolving conceptualization and evidence, and future research directions. World Psychiatry, 24(1), 52-80. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21269
Devoogdt, N., & De Groef, A. (2024). Physiotherapy management of breast cancer treatment-related sequelae. Journal of Physiotherapy, 70(2), 90–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2024.02.020
Dewi, R. (2021). Teknik Relaksasi Lima Jari terhadap Kualitas Tidur, Fatigue dan Nyeri pada Pasien Kanker Payudara. Deepublish Publisher.
Dewi, R., Budhiana, J., Arsyi, D. N., Yulianti, M., & Fatmala, S. D. (2023). The use of five-finger relaxation techniques for reducing stress and sleep quality in hypertension patients. JHeS (Journal of Health Studies), 7(1), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.31101/jhes.2990
Dewi, R., Budhiana, J., Fatmala, S. D., Yulianti, M., & Arsyi, D. N. (2023). Coaching and training on five finger relaxation techniques for breast cancer patients to reduce fatigue, pain and sleep disorders. Abdimas Galuh, 5(1), 971. https://doi.org/10.25157/ag.v5i1.10140
Dewi, R., Nurani, M. D., Fatmala, S. D., Wahida, A. Z., Budhiana, J., & Arsyi, D. N. (2022). The five finger relaxation techniques on pain and sleep quality in rhematic patients in sukabumi village, working area of the selabatu health center, sukabumi city. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services (IJNHS), 5(6), 501-510. https://doi.org/10.35654/ijnhs.v5i6.650
Dewi, R., Fatmala, S. D., Yulianti, M., & Arsyi, D. N. (2024). The Effect of Five-Finger Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Stress in Non-Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients at the Inpatient Installation of RSUD Cimacan Cianjur District. Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif, 10(2), 232–241. https://doi.org/10.33755/jkk.v10i2.682
Dewi, R., Panduragan, S. L., Umar, N. S., Yulianti, M., & Budhiana, J. (2022). The Five-Finger Relaxation Techniques on Anxiety, Stress and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 18, 96–100.
Dinapoli, L., Colloca, G., Capua, B. Di, & Valentini, V. (2021). Psychological Aspects to Consider in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Current Oncology Reports, 23(38), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01049-3
Ding, X., Zhao, F., Zhu, M., Wang, Q., Wei, S., Xue, J., & Li, Z. (2024). A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to reduce perceived stress in breast cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 54, 101803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101803
Elenia, M., Putri, C., Astuti, A. D., Christyanni, Y., & Datak, G. (2024). Effectiveness of Five-Finger Relaxation Combination Therapy With Nature Sound Music on Patient Depression DM Type 2 in Palangka Raya City. 139–144.
Febriani, A., Pujiastuti, F., & Teodhora, T. (2024). Characteristics of chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer patients at Bhayangkara TK. 1 Pudsdokkes Polri Hospital, Jakarta. Indonesian Journal of Cancer, 18(3), 282-288. https://doi.org/10.33371/ijoc.v18i3.1131
Giaquinto, A. N., Sung, H., Miller, K. D., Kramer, J. L., Newman, L. A., Minihan, A., Jemal, A., & Siegel, R. L. (2022). Breast Cancer Statistics, 2022. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(6), 524–541. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21754
Hunt, A. M. G., Fachner, J., Clark-Vetri, R., Raffa, R. B., Rupnow-Kidd, C., Maidhof, C., & Dileo, C. (2021). Neuronal Effects of Listening to Entrainment Music Versus Preferred Music in Patients With Chronic Cancer Pain as Measured via EEG and LORETA Imaging. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.588788
Jayanti, D. M. A. D., Arwidiana, D. P., & Mirayanti, N. K. A. (2022). Five Finger Techniques with Gayatri Mantra to Reduce Anxiety of Family with Schizophrenia. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services (IJNHS), 5(2), 187–194. https://doi.org/10.35654/ijnhs.v5i2.568
Johnson, M. C., McGregor, A. H., A'Hern, R., Leff, D. R., & Wells, M. (2024). ‘I presumed the pain would eventually get better by itself’; challenges with access to rehabilitation for upper limb dysfunction after breast cancer treatment-Descriptive and qualitative findings from a cross-sectional survey. European Journal of surgical Oncology, 50(10), 108591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108591
Liu, W., Liu, J., Ma, L., & Chen, J. (2022). Effect of Mindfulness Yoga on Anxiety and Depression in early breast Cancer Patients Received Adjuvant Chemotherapy: a Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 148(9), 2549–2560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-022-04167-y
Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Psychology Foundation.
Probowati, R., Buyu, A., Astuti, A. M., & Bakkar, Z. A. (2024). Effect of Five Finger Relaxation Intervention on Fatigue In Ca Mammae Clients. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference Health, Science And Technology (ICOHETECH), 2, 564–571. https://doi.org/10.47701/icohetech.v5i1.4244
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092.
Sinha, M. K., Barman, A., Goyal, M., & Patra, S. (2021). Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 27(2), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.25259/IJPC_136_21
Tao, L., Xiang, Y., Zeng, X., Fu, L., Li, J., & Chen, H. (2024). Psychological Distress Factors in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 33(12), 4843–4859. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17532
Widiyawati, W., Wardani, L. K., Rinawati, F., & Widyastuti, B. (2024). Effectiveness of Finger Hand Relaxation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques on Anxiety in Pre- Operative Sectio Caesarea Patients. 8(1), 229–236. https://doi.org/10.30994/jnp.v8i1.657
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 MEDICA (International Medical Scientific Journal)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
