Twelve month follow-up on a randomised controlled trial of relaxation training for post-stroke anxiety

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To follow up participants in a randomised controlled trial of relaxation training for anxiety after stroke at 12 months. DESIGN: Twelve month follow-up to a randomised controlled trial, in which the control group also received treatment. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen of twenty one original participants with post-stroke anxiety participated in a one year follow-up study. INTERVENTIONS: A self-help autogenic relaxation CD listened to five times a week for one month, immediately in the intervention group and after three months in the control group. MAIN MEASURES: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale and the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status for inclusion. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale for outcome. All measures were administered by phone. RESULTS: (2) = 22.29, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in anxiety in stroke survivors who received a self-help autogenic relaxation CD appear to be maintained after one year.