Holland, J.C., Morrow, G., Schmale, A., Derogatis, L., Stefanek, M., Berenson, S., . . . Feldstein, M. (1991). A randomized clinical trial of alprazolam versus progressive muscle relaxation in cancer patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 9, 1004–1011.
The 10-day study had two arms: alprazolam 0.5 mg three times a day or progressive muscle relaxation three times a day.
A randomized controlled trial (nonblinded) design was used.
There was significant decrease in anxiety (HARS, ABS, SCL-90 subscale) and depression (SCL-90 subscale) in both treatment arms (p < 0.001). There was minimal change in pulse and blood pressure.