The Effectiveness of Relaxation Training in the Quality of Life and Anxiety of Patients with Asthma

Abstract

Introduction: With a 5-10% global prevalence, asthma, as a chronic condition which can strongly affect the quality of life of patients and care givers, needs comprehensive approach, including medications and psychological techniques, to get the optimal control. This is why the current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Papworth method relaxation training among patients with asthma, considering reduced anxiety and improved quality of life. Material and methods: Through a randomized controlled trial, 30 patients with asthma 20-45 years of age referring to a tertiary university hospital in Tehran enrolled two study groups, including disease cases and controls. The Papworth method of relaxation was used and was finally assessed for its effectiveness by two questionnaires, namely STAI for anxiety and SF-36 for the quality of life. Pre-test and post-test were done for both groups. Results: The scores of the anxiety questionnaire (STAI) before and after the intervention were significantly different, and the mean scores obviously reduced after relaxation training among cases from 102.6 to 79.5. The scores of the QOL grew clearly after relaxation training in the case group from 308.07 to 546.6. Conclusions: As an accessory helpful treatment, relaxation training Papworth method sounds to be perfectly able to control stressful conditions in patients with asthma to prevent disease attacks and improve the quality of life. So, psychological teams can be advised to referral centers for asthma in the relevant clinics to help people get training in this regard.

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The Management of Extrapulmonary Comorbidities and Treatable Traits; Obesity, Physical Inactivity, Anxiety, and Depression, in Adults With Asthma

“…This expanding field of medicine involves the use of evidencebased therapeutic interventions such as dietary modification, physical activity/exercise, stress management (i.e., medication, breathing training, relaxation), restorative sleep, and the reduction or avoidance of recreational substances, which address key risk factors, in order to prevent and treat chronic diseases including psychological comorbidity (116). The main lifestyle medicine interventions that have been studied to date in individuals with asthma for the management of anxiety and depression include; physical activity/exercise interventions (92,96,115,(117)(118)(119), breathing and relaxation training (120)(121)(122)(123)(124), imagery (125,126), and spiritual healing (127).…”

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