Effectiveness of a 4-week sophrology program for primary care patients with moderate to high anxiety levels: a randomised controlled trial

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an intensive four-week structured group relaxation-training program (sophrology's dynamic relaxation) on anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels. Method: In an experimen...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Van Rangelrooij, Koen, Solans Buxeda, R., Fernández García, María José, Caycedo Desprez, Natalia, Selvam, Rejina Mary, Bulbena Vilarrasa, Antonio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/208503
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/208503
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Sofrologia
Ansietat
Depressió psíquica
Atenció primària
Sophrology
Anxiety
Mental depression
Primary care
Descripción
Sumario:Background: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an intensive four-week structured group relaxation-training program (sophrology's dynamic relaxation) on anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels. Method: In an experimental study, seventy patients, according to the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale - Anxiety subscale (HADS-A), cut-off > 8, were randomized to the “well-being and sophrology” or a control program based on physical and mental health recommendations (PMHR). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) ratings were obtained before and after 12 one-hour sessions for 4 consecutive weeks. Results: Sixty-five patients completed the study. The dropout rate was 2.9 % (N=1) for the intervention group and 11.4% (N=4) for the control group. Sophrology showed statistically significant improvements in all HADS and STAI subscales for with-in group (p<0.001) and between groups analysis (p=0.001 to 0.046), regardless of gender or age. The pre-post effect sizes (Cohen's d) for anxiety and depression symptoms were large for sophrology (ES=0.84 to 1.36) and small to moderate for the control (ES=0.28 to 0.49). Conclusion: An intensive four-week structured group relaxation-training program “well-being and sophrology” is highly effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels.