Pain is a defining feature of sickle cell disease (SCD), and the most frequent symptom reported. Patients report recurrent, unpredictable episodes of severe acute pain, as well as chronic aching pain. The current developmental study compared the use of in-home progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training by an adult or adolescent with SCD to in-home massage lessons taught to a family member of an adolescent or adult with SCD. Aims of the study were to assess the feasibility and acceptability of both interventions to patients and families, and the relationship between each intervention and changes in pain, pain-related interference with role functioning, affect (depression, anxiety), and health care utilization. Participants included 19 persons (11 females) between the ages of 15 to 48 years (mean age 28), randomly assigned to PMR (n = 10) or family-administered massage (n = 9). Participants completed a baseline session which included questionnaires and a tape-recorded interview. Qualitative analysis of the interviews showed that the majority of the participants enrolled into the study with hopes of finding an alternative to relying completely on pain medication to relieve pain related to SCD. Given a choice, 12 participants would have preferred randomization to massage rather than relaxation because they felt massage would bring more pain relief or be more helpful or more relaxing. Familiarity with relaxation techniques was limited, with only four participants reporting they had ever used a relaxation technique prior to the study. Overall, participants had a positive view of the study and high expectations of the skills that they or their family member would be learning. Results highlight patients' hopes for nonpharmacological complementary therapies that can help to alleviate sickle cell pain, and the appeal of two such therapies, massage and relaxation training, to adolescents and adults with SCD. (Supported by NIH Grant R21 AT01078-01)