Abstract

SORIANO GONZALEZ, Javier. Quasi-experimental relaxation therapies in patients with anxiety. Enferm. glob. [online]. 2012, vol.11, n.26, pp.39-53. ISSN 1695-6141.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1695-61412012000200004.

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in primary and specialty care. To reduce anxiety the use of relaxation therapy is recommended as an alternative therapy to Psychopharmacology. The aim of the study is determine whether relaxation therapies benefit patients with anxiety. Materials and Methods: We used quantitative methodology: a quasi-experimental study before and after a, longitudinal, prospective study. Subjects studied: patients diagnosed with anxiety who agreed to participate in relaxation therapy at the mental health center Infante (Murcia), from December 2009 to March 2010. (N = 39). Independent variable was relaxation therapy and the dependent variable was anxiety. Other variables were sex, age, educational level and treatment with psychotropic drugs. Validated scale used was STAI, scores comparing pre-post-intervention (t student applies, xi square confidence interval (p <0.05). Results: The test was performed by pre-post STAI 39 patients, 69% female and 31% male. The mean age was 39'84 years. 77% were taking medication and 23% were not. There was a clearly dominance of secondary education (ESO). Mean state anxiety before was 68 and after 56. STAI state (before / after) with a significance level of p <0'027, so the null hypothesis was accepted. It was observed that in patients not taking psychotropic drugs, the decrease in anxiety was significant at p <0'036. Conclusions: Workshops in relaxation techniques are helpful in reducing anxiety in specialized care, and are more effective in patients with anxiety who do not take medication.

Keywords : anxiety; relaxation therapy; effectiveness.

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