Browsing by Author "Claudia M. Witt"

Objective To examine the effects of six relaxation techniques on perceived momentary relaxation and a possible association of relaxation effects with time and practice experience in people with cancer. Methods We used data from participants with cancer in a larger study practicing app-based relaxation techniques over 10 weeks, assessed momentary relaxation before and after every third relaxation practice, and analyzed momentary relaxation changes with a linear mixed-effects model. Results The sample included 611 before-after observations from 91 participants (70 females (76.9%)) with a mean age of 55.43 years (SD 10.88). We found moderate evidence for variations in momentary relaxation changes across different techniques (P = .026), with short meditation, mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation more frequently observed and leading to more relaxation than body scan and walking meditation. Furthermore, we found moderate evidence for increasing momentary relaxation changes over time (P = .046), but no evidence for an association between momentary relaxation and the number of previous observations (proxy for practice experience; P = .47). Conclusion We compared six app-based relaxation techniques in a real-life setting of people with cancer. The observed variations in perceived momentary relaxation appear to correspond with the popularity of the techniques used: The most popular relaxation techniques were the most effective and the least popular were the least effective. The effects increased over time, likely caused by dropout of individuals who gained no immediate benefit. Our findings open an interesting avenue for future research to better understand which relaxation techniques work best for whom in which situations. Trial Registration DRKS00027546; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00027546

BACKGROUND People with cancer often experience stress. Digital health interventions (DHIs) can help individuals increase momentary relaxation. Breeze is a gamified breathing training that can be embedded into DHIs. Its effectiveness in controlled cross-sectional studies was shown. However, adherence to Breeze and its effect on momentary relaxation in longitudinal interventional studies has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE This work aims to assess the use of Breeze and its effect on momentary relaxation in people with cancer. METHODS Breeze was one of seven relaxation techniques included in the CanRelax 2.0 app, designed specifically for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Participants could select any of the seven techniques to promote momentary relaxation. The intervention was designed to last 10 weeks. However, participants were allowed to use the CanRelax 2.0 app after that period. Participants were adults diagnosed with cancer in the last five years recruited across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Momentary relaxation was measured pre- and post-exercise using an 11-point visual analog scale, while Breeze was assessed through objective usage metrics. Statistical analyses included linear mixed-effects models and effect size calculations. RESULTS Out of 352 participants, 118 (33.5%) used Breeze at least once. The 118 participants engaged in 754 breathing sessions with Breeze. Momentary relaxation was assessed and calculated for 249 (33.0%) Breeze sessions. The use of Breeze remained stable even after the formal intervention period. Participants also followed the pre-defined breathing rates of Breeze. On average, a small effect on momentary relaxation was observed for 2-minute breathing sessions (d = .20), while a large effect (d = .74) resulted from breathing sessions >=4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the potential of Breeze to reduce acute stress in individuals with a chronic condition, such as cancer. By combining gamification with evidence-based breathing techniques, Breeze fosters sustained user engagement and momentary relaxation. Future research aims to assess the impact of Breeze on other populations and chronic conditions. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00027546; registered on 23 February 2022

Mindfulness and relaxation exercises are effective face-to-face interventions for reducing distress in people with cancer. Their effectiveness in mobile health settings has yet to be investigated. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the CanRelax 2 app in reducing distress in people with cancer. German-speaking adults diagnosed with cancer within the last five years with elevated distress levels (Distress Thermometer ≥5) were recruited. Participants were randomized to the CanRelax 2 app or a waitlist control group. The primary endpoint was the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) after 10 weeks (210 participants). We observed a clinically meaningful larger reduction in PHQ-ADS scores in the intervention group compared to the control group (−3.7, 95%-CI from −5.7 to −1.6; p = 0.0005). Similar effects were found for distress, well-being, and self-regulation. Our results confirm the effectiveness of a mobile health app in reducing distress in people with cancer. Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027546) on 23.02.2022