4. Discussion
depression, breast and gynaecological cancer, anxiety
PMR, RECRUITMENT
This pilot randomized controlled trial provided a novel way that combined MI with PMR to solve psychological issues commonly faced by breast and gynaecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The pilot study results showed a promisingly high feasibility of the combined intervention and a potentially effective strategy for anxiety, depression and stress management in the target population.Our study supported the feasibility of the study with high recruitment and consent rate and acceptable attrition rate (16.7%), which was similar to the previous studies with the attrition rate ranging from 4 to 25% [The current study found that the participants in the intervention group, on average, had greater reduction in anxiety, depression and stress at T1 and T2. The results were consistent with a previous study conducted by Zhou, Li [The mechanism of music intervention on anxiety, depression and stress is based on the idea that music can influence the body and mind in many ways. Music’s rhythm and melody can lower the stress hormone cortisol levels through acting on the hippocampus and peripheral nervous system [PMR is commonly used to manage stress-related issues. When faced with stress, the body produces a series of reactions, including the tense response of muscle groups [The current study found greater improvements in QoL in the intervention group than in the control group at T1 and T2, which was in line with the previous studies [