Comparison of the Effectiveness of Autogenic Training and Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Anxiety

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation in improving the anxiety components of women with chest pain. Method: The research method was experimental with a pre-test-post-test design, a control group, and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all women with chest pain in Karaj city in ۲۰۲۱. using a purposeful sampling method, ۶۰ patients with chest pain in Shahid Rajaei Hospital were selected and randomly assigned into three groups autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation training, and control group. Autogenic training was provided in twelve ۹۰-minute sessions, and progressive muscle relaxation intervention was administered in eight ۲-hour sessions. Beck's (۱۹۸۸) anxiety questionnaires, Tylor & Cox (۱۹۹۸) revised anxiety sensitivity, and Rapee, et al (۱۹۹۶) perception of anxiety control was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using covariance analysis and post hoc test methods. Results: The results showed that autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation alone have been effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, anxiety sensitivity and perception of anxiety control and autogenic training was more effective in improving anxiety components compared to progressive muscle relaxation (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Considering the greater effectiveness of autogenic training on the anxiety components, it is suggested that relevant experts use this intervention to reduce the anxiety of patients with chest pain.

Keywords:

Autogenic training , Progressive muscle relaxation , chest pain , anxiety components