Introduction: The present study aims at comparing two training methods of self-management and relaxation on the aspects of quality of life in women with cancer.
Methods: This is a pilot study which has been conducted by expanded pre-test and post-test pattern by control group. Community sample of this study were all women with breast cancer in Ardabil in 1390 (Approximated estimation: N=1000). Samples were 60 women with breast cancer who were randomly selected among cancer patients in Ardabil. The questionnaire of quality of life by Brody et al., 1997 and self- concept scale by Dargotis et al., 1979 were administered on subjects as data collection materials in clinical centers. Multivariate analysis of covariance and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests were used for data analysis.
Results: The results showed that applying training methods of self-management and relaxation improves significantly physical, emotional, social, communicative and functional, dimensions of quality of life and self-concept of women with cancer. Also data analysis showed that there is a significant difference between two methods of self- management and relaxation in effect.
Conclusions: We conclude that self-management, and relaxation method by Benson can be used as effective, easy, inexpensive way to promote the quality of life of cancer patients in hospitals.