Article

OBJECTIVE: To consider relaxation as a potential treatment for anxiety in stroke
survivors living in the community, including feasibility and acceptability.
DESIGN: Randomised two group design (intervention and control). PARTICIPANTS: All participants (n = 21) were stroke survivors living in the community who reported
experiencing anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety Subscale 6). INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group were asked to listen to a self-help
autogenic relaxation CD, five times a week, for at least one month. Participants
completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at screening and then monthly
for three months. RESULTS: At each assessment following screening, participants
who received the relaxation training were significantly more likely to report
reduced anxiety compared to those who had not received the training (Month 1 P =
0.002; Month 2 P < 0.001; Month 3 P = 0.001). After one month, seven of the
intervention group (n = 10) had completed the relaxation training as directed and
planned to continue using it. The intervention appeared practical to deliver and
relatively inexpensive, with minimal adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary
evidence suggests that autogenic relaxation training delivered in a self-help CD
format is a feasible and acceptable intervention, and that anxiety is reduced in
stroke survivors who received the intervention. Future studies should seek to
recruit a larger and more heterogeneous sample of 70 participants.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS