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Journal of Evaluation in Clinical... Jun 2024Autogenic training (AT) is a structured meditative-style practice, consisting of a sequence of simple mental exercises intended to induce a relaxed state in patients....
BACKGROUND
Autogenic training (AT) is a structured meditative-style practice, consisting of a sequence of simple mental exercises intended to induce a relaxed state in patients. There is some emerging evidence to suggest that AT can be effective in treating certain chronic conditions, however, further evidence is required. A service evaluation of AT services at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine was conducted to evaluate the impact of AT on patients with chronic conditions.
METHODS
The service evaluation consisted of the completion of validated quantitative outcome measures pre and posttreatment to explore the impact of AT. AT patients were asked to complete the Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at their first hospital appointment (baseline) and then again 8 weeks later following completion of their AT sessions. Pre- and posttreatment scores for each outcome measure were analysed in SPSS using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
RESULTS
One hundred ninety-nine patients completed both initial and follow-up MYMOP forms and were included in the evaluation. The most common presenting complaints for MYMOP symptom 1 were prolonged anxiety/stress and depression (n = 70, 35.2%), chronic pain and migraine headache (n = 44, 22.1%), chronic insomnia and sleep problems (n = 42, 21.1%) and, long-term exhaustion and fatigue (n = 18, 9%). The change in median score pre- and posttreatment for all MYMOP categories (symptoms, activity and well-being) were statistically highly significant p < 0.001. Anxiety, stress, depression, pain and insomnia were the symptoms that had the largest statistically significant difference between the median score pre- and posttreatment. Fifty-five patients completed the PSS questionnaire at two time points (pre- and posttreatment). It showed a highly statistically significant change in PSS median score in patients experiencing stress (p < 0.001).
DISCUSSION
The findings of the evaluation indicate that 8 weeks of AT appears to be effective in improving symptoms of concern to patients and enhancing patients' overall well-being. In particular, AT was found to be beneficial for patients with symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, pain and insomnia.
PubMed: 38873764
DOI: 10.1111/jep.14014 -
PloS One 2024Aromatase inhibitors have positive impacts on the disease-free life of patients with breast cancer. However, their side effects, especially arthralgia, may be... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Aromatase inhibitors have positive impacts on the disease-free life of patients with breast cancer. However, their side effects, especially arthralgia, may be experienced by many patients. This study sought to assess the efficacy of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on the prevalent side effects of Aromatase Inhibitors in patients with breast cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This clinical trial was conducted with single-blind randomization at a physiotherapy department in a local hospital. Patients who received Aromatase Inhibitor were assigned at random to either the study or control group. The study group (n = 22) performed a Progressive Relaxation Exercises program four days a week for six weeks, while the control group (n = 22) received advice on relaxation for daily life. Data was collected before the intervention and after six weeks. The study's primary endpoint was the Brief Pain Inventory, which was used to measure pain severity. Secondary endpoints included assessments of quality of life and emotional status, which were measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales, respectively.
RESULTS
The study group exhibited a significant reduction in Pain Severity (p = 0.001) and Pain Interference (p = 0.012) sub-scores. Reduction in Pain Severity (p<0.001) and Patient Pain Experience (p = 0.003) sub-scores was also noted between the groups. Quality of Life and Emotional Status showed no significant variation both within and between the groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrated that Progressive Relaxation Exercises caused a significant reduction in pain scores among Breast Cancer patients receiving Aromatase Inhibitors. While a decrease in pain during the 6-week period is valuable data, it is necessary to monitor the long-term effects of relaxation techniques.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aromatase Inhibitors; Breast Neoplasms; Relaxation Therapy; Autogenic Training; Quality of Life; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Pain
PubMed: 38635763
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301020 -
Inquiry : a Journal of Medical Care... 2024Relaxation-related workplace interventions can be counterstrategies for stress due to office work and should be evaluated for success after implementation. This study...
Relaxation-related workplace interventions can be counterstrategies for stress due to office work and should be evaluated for success after implementation. This study reports on the evaluation and comparison of 3 relaxation techniques introduced as an intervention for health promotion. A Germany-wide multicenter evaluation of a 3-month relaxation intervention (30 min, once a week) including autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or Tai Chi was conducted at 14 locations as an intervention study. Anonymous questionnaires ( = 244) were used to collect self-reports of perceived stress after the courses. Status before the courses (pre) and after completion (post) were reported at the end of the intervention. All 3 relaxation techniques were able to improve the subjective perception of stress (SPS) score. Autogenic training was reported to improve all singular items with large effects, whereas only 2 items showed change for Tai Chi and none for PMR. Singular items were also influenced by the location of the courses. All 3 methods were able to improve stress-related outcomes in terms of stress perception and individual aspects of stress management. For this specific intervention autogenic training yielded the largest and wide-ranging effects. Tai Chi was also effective, but additional effect due to an associated increase in physical activity were not found. For a workplace intervention PMR could not be recommended based on this study. The literature on workplace interventions is surprisingly scarce, and future studies should focus on the selection of appropriate participants while avoiding potential bias.
Topics: Humans; Workplace; Exercise; Germany
PubMed: 38591360
DOI: 10.1177/00469580241242793 -
Sleep Medicine May 2024Sleep problems often accompany ADHD and negatively affect ADHD symptoms, however, there are not enough intervention studies on sleep interventions in children with ADHD.... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECT
Sleep problems often accompany ADHD and negatively affect ADHD symptoms, however, there are not enough intervention studies on sleep interventions in children with ADHD. The present study investigated the effects of sleep hygiene training (SH) and progressive muscle relaxation exercises (PMR) in children with ADHD.
METHOD
57 children aged 6-12 years with ADHD were randomly assigned to the SH and SH + PMR groups and completed the intervention consisting of group training and eight weeks of telephone interviews. The effects of both intervenitons were evaluated via parent, child and clinician report scales and neuropsychological tests.
RESULTS
Both interventions resulted in significant positive changes in child sleep, ADHD symptoms, functioning, neuropsychological tests and parental sleep quality. Significant differences were found between the interventions in selective attention, peer problems and anxiety scores in favor of the SH + PMR group.
CONCLUSION
SH may have positive effects on various clinical parameters as well as sleep problems in children with ADHD. Addition of PMR to SH may lead to further improvements in anxiety, peer problems and selective attention. SH and PMR may be a useful tool in the clinical management of children with ADHD with sleep problems.
Topics: Child; Humans; Sleep Hygiene; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autogenic Training; Parents; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 38554532
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.03.001 -
Women & Health Mar 2024In this study, university students with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were evaluated for their responses to the practices of yoga and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
In this study, university students with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were evaluated for their responses to the practices of yoga and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) to combat PMS, and the depression, anxiety, and stress associated with it. A total of 68 students participated in a randomized controlled trial. They were divided into four parallel groups: a yoga intervention group ( = 17), a PMR intervention group ( = 17), a yoga and PMR intervention group ( = 17), and a control group ( = 17). Data were collected between April 2022 and June 2022, from students who practiced only yoga, who practiced only PMR, and who practiced both yoga and PMR. A Personal Information Form, the PMS Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were used as measurement tools. The yoga and yoga + PMR groups had lower scores for the PMS Scale in the posttest than the other groups ( < .05). Depression, anxiety, and stress sub-dimension mean scores were lower in the yoga, PMR + yoga, and PMR groups compared to the control group ( < .05). The results suggest that yoga and PMR interventions are beneficial non-pharmacological treatments for PMS, depression, anxiety, and stress. The Effects of Yoga and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises on Premenstrual Syndrome, NCT05396976, April 5, 2022.
Topics: Female; Humans; Yoga; Autogenic Training; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Premenstrual Syndrome
PubMed: 38343144
DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2314524 -
JMIR Mental Health Jan 2024Empirical evidence has shown that virtual reality (VR) scenarios can increase the effects of relaxation techniques, reducing anxiety by enabling people to experience... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Empirical evidence has shown that virtual reality (VR) scenarios can increase the effects of relaxation techniques, reducing anxiety by enabling people to experience emotional conditions in more vivid settings.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot randomized controlled study aims to investigate whether the progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT) associated with a personalized scenario in VR promotes psychological well-being and facilitates the recall of relaxing images more than the standard complementary intervention that involves the integration of PMRT and guided imagery (GI).
METHODS
On the basis of a longitudinal, between-subject design, 72 university students were randomly exposed to one of two experimental conditions: (1) standard complementary procedure (PMRT and GI exposure) and (2) experimental procedure (PMRT and personalized VR exposure). Individuals were assessed by a therapist before and after 7 training sessions based on measures investigating anxiety, depression, quality of life, coping strategies, sense of presence, engagement, and side effects related to VR exposure. Heart rate data were also collected.
RESULTS
Differences in changes between the 2 groups after the in vivo PMRT session conducted by the psychotherapist (T1) were statistically significant for state anxiety (F=30.56; P<.001) and heart rate (F=4.87; P=.01). Individuals in the VR group obtained lower scores both before (t=-2.63; P=.01; Cohen d=0.91) and after (t=-7.23; P<.001; Cohen d=2.45) the relaxation session when it was self-administered by participants (T2). A significant reduction in perceived state anxiety at T1 and T2 was observed for both groups (P<.001). After the VR experience, individuals reported feeling higher engagement in the experience than what was mentioned by participants in the GI group (F=2.85; P=.03; η=0.15), and they experienced the environment as more realistic (F=4.38; P=.003; η=0.21). No differences between groups regarding sense of presence were found (F=1.99; P=.11; η=0.11). Individuals exposed before to the VR scenario (T1) referred to perceiving the scenario recalled in-imagination at T2 as more realistic than what those in the GI group experienced (F=3.21; P=.02; η=0.12). The VR group had lower trait anxiety levels than the GI group after the relaxation session during session 7 (T2; t=-2.43; P=.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Personalized relaxing VR scenarios can contribute to improving relaxation and decreasing anxiety when integrated with PMRT as a complementary relaxation method.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05478941; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05478941.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
RR2-10.2196/44183.
Topics: Humans; Autogenic Training; Imagery, Psychotherapy; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Relaxation Therapy
PubMed: 38289673
DOI: 10.2196/48649 -
International Journal of Nursing Studies Apr 2024Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, usually accompanied by anxiety, depression and insomnia, which seriously affect patients'... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.
BACKGROUND
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, usually accompanied by anxiety, depression and insomnia, which seriously affect patients' quality of life. Progressive muscle relaxation training is widely used for cancer-related fatigue, but the overall effect is unclear.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence on the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Nine electronic databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL), Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database) were explored for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before February 2023. This study was reported based on the PRISMA 2020 statement. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias assessment tool was used for methodological assessment, and the GRADE pro online assessment tool was used for evidence evaluation. The data were analyzed with the Review Manager 5.4 software.
RESULTS
Twelve studies involving 1047 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that progressive muscle relaxation training plus routine nursing produced more positive effects than routine nursing in improving cancer-related fatigue [SMD = -1.06, 95 % CI -1.49, -0.62, P < 0.00001], anxiety [SMD = -1.09, 95 % CI -1.40, -0.77, P < 0.00001], depression [SMD = -1.43, 95 % CI -1.76, -1.10, P < 0.00001], and quality of sleep [MD = -1.41, 95 % CI -1.74, -1.08, P < 0.00001]. However, there was no significant difference in improving quality of life [SMD = 0.27, 95 % CI -0.62, 1.15, P = 0.55]. Progressive resistance exercise plus routine nursing improved cancer-related fatigue more than progressive muscle relaxation training plus routine nursing [SMD = 1.11, 95 % CI 0.43, 1.78, P = 0.001]. There was low certainty of evidence that progressive muscle relaxation training improved cancer-related fatigue and quality of sleep, and the evidence that improved quality of life, anxiety and depression was very low.
CONCLUSION
Current evidence suggested that progressive muscle relaxation training has the potential to improve cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression and quality of sleep in patients with cancer and is a low-load, simple exercise worthy of recommendation for cancer patients in fatigue state. Future research should focus on improving the methodological quality of randomized controlled trials to enhance the persuasive evidence of progressive muscle relaxation training efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Autogenic Training; Exercise; Fatigue; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38281450
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104694 -
Journal of Health Psychology May 2024University students were at an increased risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a randomized controlled trial, we examined the efficacy of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
University students were at an increased risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a randomized controlled trial, we examined the efficacy of an online Yoga intervention on students' psychological functioning. Healthy university students ( = 106) were randomly assigned to a Yoga group, an active control group, or a passive control group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The experimental group attended six Yoga sessions over 6 weeks and the active control group attended to six autogenic relaxation sessions over 6 weeks. All participants completed the study protocol, which involved answering questionnaires related to psychological distress, emotion regulation, self-compassion, self-concept, spiritual well-being, and subjective happiness at three different time points: baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Results showed that Yoga contributed to improving self-compassion, extrinsic affect improving, and personal and communal spiritual well-being, in comparison to the control groups.
Topics: Humans; Yoga; COVID-19; Male; Female; Students; Universities; Young Adult; Mental Health; Adult; SARS-CoV-2; Self Concept; Psychological Distress; Spirituality; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 38230561
DOI: 10.1177/13591053231220710 -
The Journal of Obstetrics and... Mar 2024This study aimed to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation administered to women delivering via... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of progressive relaxation exercises and transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation administered to women delivering via cesarean delivery on pain, breastfeeding success, and comfort levels: A randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation administered to women delivering via cesarean delivery on acute pain, breastfeeding success, and comfort levels.
METHODS
This is a single-blind, randomized controlled study. This study was carried out in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Turkey between August 20, 2018 and April 15, 2019. A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups, which included a transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) group, a PRE group, a combined intervention group, and a control group. Data were collected with a Data Collection Form, The Visual Analogue Scale, The LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Tool, and The Postpartum Comfort Scale.
RESULTS
According to the findings of the study, it was determined that pain significantly decreased and comfort increased after having a cesarean delivery in all three intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding the breastfeeding success, while there was no statistically significant change in this behavior in the TENS group, it was significantly better in the PRE group and the combined intervention group, where TENS and PRE were administered together (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
According to our study results, we recommend that TENS and PRE should be employed together after a cesarean delivery as safe non-pharmacological methods in pain management, eliminating breastfeeding problems, and increasing comfort.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Breast Feeding; Single-Blind Method; Autogenic Training; Pain
PubMed: 38148300
DOI: 10.1111/jog.15869 -
Medicine Nov 2023The present study aims to investigate the combined effect of slow breathing exercise (SBE) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique on blood pressure (BP),... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
The present study aims to investigate the combined effect of slow breathing exercise (SBE) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and anxiety in patients diagnosed with essential hypertension.
TRIAL DESIGN
This study was based on a 4-arm parallel-group, randomized control design.
METHODS
Sixty-four participants diagnosed with essential hypertension were randomly allocated into SBE, PMR, SBE-PMR, and Control groups, with 16 subjects each. All 3 groups received different treatments according to their name; however, the Control group received no treatment. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), HR, RR, and anxiety were all evaluated as the study outcomes using a digital sphygmomanometer and perceived stress scale (PSS) at baseline (pretest), 2nd week and 4th weeks post-intervention. A repeated measure analysis of variance test assessed intra-group comparison (overall) analyses across multiple time points. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were used to analyze the mean differences between the groups. The confidence interval was kept at 95% for all the statistical analyses, that is, P < .05 is considered significant.
RESULTS
There was a significant change in the HR (F = 239.04, P = .0001), RR (F = 167.74, P = .0001), SBP (F = 266.64, P = .0001), DSP (F = 279.80, P = .0001), and PSS (F = 473.42, P = .0001) as an outcome of baseline measurements versus (vs) the following weeks. There were significant (F = 48.57, P = .001) differences among different training on HR. The SBE vs SBE-PMR showed an insignificant difference (F = 48.54, P = 1.000). The RR showed significant differences (F = 32.05, 0.0001) between the SBE vs PMR, SBE vs Control, PMR vs Control, and SBE-PMR vs Control groups and insignificant differences for the SBE vs SBE-PMR and PMR vs SBE-PMR groups. The SBE vs SBE-PMR groups showed insignificant differences for DPP and SBP. However, PSS showed significant differences (F = 67.12, P = .0001) among the intervention groups except for the PMR and SBE-PMR groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The combined interventions of SBEs and progressive muscle relaxation techniques can effectively reduce the heart rate, respiratory rate, BP, and anxiety in essential hypertensive patients compared to both techniques when given alone.
Topics: Humans; Autogenic Training; Respiratory Rate; Relaxation Therapy; Hypertension; Blood Pressure; Essential Hypertension; Breathing Exercises
PubMed: 38013368
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035792