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:

Anxiety ratings reduced significantly between pre and post-intervention, and between pre-intervention and one year follow-up (χ²(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.