[Effectiveness and safety of relaxation techniques based on the induction of bodily sensations]

Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, Duarte-Díaz A, Ramos-García V, Torres-Castaño A, Toledo-Chávarri A, González-Hernández N, Rodríguez-Rodríguez L, Serrano-Aguilar P
Record ID 32018013013
Spanish
Original Title: Efectividad y seguridad de las técnicas de relajación basadas en la inducción de sensaciones corporales
Authors' objectives: This report is intended for healthcare professionals and managers, as well as patients, their families, and the general public. Its aim is to identify, critically evaluate, and synthesize the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of relaxation techniques based on inducing bodily sensations for the treatment of any clinical indication or health condition, in individuals of any age.
Authors' results and conclusions: RESULTS: Thirteen systematic reviews (with at least 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT)) and 18 RCTs were included. The most evaluated health variable was depression (7 studies), followed by anxiety (6 studies) and cardiac symptoms (4 studies). The populations included in the studies were very diverse. Compared with no intervention or delayed treatment, autogenic training has shown significant effects in reducing levels of anxiety and depression, as well as in some physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, atopic dermatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia). Very few studies evaluated the appearance of adverse effects, without observable harm, related to autogenic training, except for one patient who reported visual discomfort that did not persist after the intervention was finished. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenic training could be beneficial in improving psychological and physical symptoms in different health conditions, but the conclusions cannot be definitive due to the low number of studies for each health condition and its high or uncertain risk of bias. The safety of these techniques needs to be further evaluated.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2022
URL for published report: https://sescs.es/efectividad-seguridad-tecnicas-relajacion/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Spain
MeSH Terms
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Autogenic Training
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Headache
Keywords
  • Autogenic relaxation
  • Systematic review
  • Effectiveness
  • Safety
Contact
Organisation Name: Canary Health Service
Contact Address: Dirección del Servicio. Servicio Canario de la Salud, Camino Candelaria 44, 1ª planta, 38109 El Rosario, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Contact Name: sescs@sescs.es
Contact Email: sescs@sescs.es
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.