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Many patients suffer from anxiety and tension before and during radiotherapy (RT). According to a study by Elsner et. al., about 49 % of patients are affected and especially the days immediately before the start of therapy and the first RT sessions are associated with the greatest tension and stress reaction. It is known that both stress and anxiety can significantly influence the compliance during treatment but also the patients’ perception of the therapy and quality of life. Studies in interventional procedures have shown that relaxation techniques can significantly improve the tolerability of therapy. In RT, however, the use of relaxation techniques has not yet been an integral part of the therapy.

In order to assess the demand and acceptance of relaxation techniques among patients undergoing RT we conducted a survey at the Technical University of Munich starting from 06/2022. We included patients undergoing adjuvant RT for breast cancer or palliative RT. All patients give written consent to participate in this prospective study. 11 questions were included with questions about anxiety about therapy, use of and interest in relaxation exercises, and to what extent patients would be willing to spend time learning them.

We present preliminary data of 75 patients that have been included in the study so far. 46 (61%) patients received RT for breast cancer and 29 (39%) patients for bone metastases. A total of 52 females and 23 males were interviewed with a median age of 64 years. 28% had already been irradiated previously in their lives. 60 patients (80%) would like to be actively involved in RT and contribute to the best possible success of the therapy, and 61 of the respondents (81%) would like to be guided by medical staff. The majority of patients (73%) did not use relaxation techniques. The large majority (75%) of those who already use relaxation exercises were female. Patients that were anxious prior to first RT (44%) showed more interest in relaxation techniques compared to patients that were not anxious (58% vs 24%). Half of these anxious patients were treated for breast cancer and half for palliative intention. Of those patients who would spend time to learn relaxation exercises, 70% would do exercises at home, 19% in the waiting room and 29% in the treatment room. Most patients (37%) were interested in breathing training more than in yoga (21,3%) or autogenic training (28%).

80% of the participants in our trial with breast cancer or in palliative setting would like to actively contribute to therapy in order to achieve the best possible success. 44% of the patients were anxious before the first RT and 58% of them would spend additional time to learn relaxation techniques. Since the tolerance of a therapy can increase through the use of relaxation techniques and possibly even pain sensation can be reduced and the quality of life increased, an additional offer of selected relaxation techniques for interested patients undergoing RT is desirable.